United States Attorney Carmen M.

Ortiz District of Massachusetts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OCTOBER 6, 2011 WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/MA CONTACT: CHRISTINA DiIORIO-STERLING PHONE: (617)748-3356 E-MAIL: USAMA.MEDIA@USDOJ.GOV

FIFTEEN ARRESTED IN SPRINGFIELD AREA ON FEDERAL AND STATE FIREARM CHARGES Springfield, Mass....Fifteen men from the greater Springfield area were charged today on federal and state firearm charges today. As part of a ongoing effort to combat violence in Springfield 15 individuals, nine named in federal indictments and six named state defendants, were charged with firearm charges. The arrests and charges are the result of a continued and joint effort between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to identify unlawful possessors of firearms and ammunition. As a result of these arrests and charges, 15 firearms and multiple rounds of ammunition were recovered. United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz said, I hope todays charges send a strong message theat we are proactively and aggressively investing gun violence in Springfield and other communities in Western Massachusetts. I want the residents of Springfield to know that the U.S. Attorneys Office, along with our law enforcement partners are here and we are working hard to ensure that their neighborhoods are safe and healthy places to live and work. Hampden County District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni said, This joint investigation is a beginning to aggressively addressing the issues of violence that have affected the city of Springfield. My office will continue to work closely with federal, state and local law enforcement officials to ensure a safe and secure community for all citizens of Hampden County. Springfield Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet said, This operation is another example of the excellent co-operation that exists between the federal law enforcement agencies and local police departments. Working together we can make a positive impact on our communities by targeting gun and gang violence. I would like to thank all of the law enforcement agencies that participated in this investigation, stated Guy Thomas, Special Agent In Charge of ATFs Boston Field Division. Today the city of Springfield is a safer place because of the arrests we have made. ATF will continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners to remove violent offenders from our neighborhoods.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno stated, This is a result of the great collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement authorities, including the focus and initiative of our ongoing task force meetings. Authorities will continue with the targeted crackdown on illegal guns and gangs. Im proud and very appreciative of our brave law enforcement and public safety officials. The following nine individuals were indicted in seven separate federal indictments: 1. LESLIE EVANS, 20, CODY BROWN, 21, JORGE MALDONADO, 20, all of Springfield, were charged with illegally possessing firearms and ammunition. In a separate complaint, MANUEL LORA, 22, was also charged with illegally possessing firearms and ammunition. The indictment alleges that on May 26, 2011, EVANS, after being previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison, possessed a .22 caliber pistol and .22 caliber ammunition and on May 28, 2011, EVANS possessed a Smith & Wesson M&P, .45 caliber pistol; .45 caliber ammunition; a Smith & Wesson M&P, .40 caliber pistol; .40 caliber ammunition; a Smith & Wesson M&P9C, 9mm pistol; 9mm ammunition; .38 Caliber ammunition; and .357 caliber ammunition. The indictment further alleges that on May 26, 2011, MALDONADO received a Smith & Wesson M&P9, 9mm pistol and 9mm caliber ammunition, while MALDONADO was under indictment for a crime punishable by more than one year in prison. Lastly, the Indictment alleges that on May 28, 2011, BROWN, after being previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison, possessed a Smith & Wesson M&P, .45 caliber pistol; .45 caliber ammunition; a Smith & Wesson M&P, .40 caliber pistol; .40 caliber ammunition; a Smith & Wesson M&P9C, 9mm pistol; 9mm ammunition; .38 caliber ammunition; and .357 caliber ammunition. The complaint alleges that on May 28, 2011, LORA, after being previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison, possessed a Smith & Wesson M&P, .45 caliber pistol; .45 caliber ammunition; a Smith & Wesson M&P, .40 caliber pistol; .40 caliber ammunition; a Smith & Wesson M&P9C, 9mm pistol; and 9mm ammunition. If convicted on these charges, EVANS, MALDONADO, BROWN and LORA each face up to 10 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. 2. JAAME SALAAM, 29, of Springfield, was charged in an indictment with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on July 12, 2011, the defendant possessed a 9 mm pistol and ammunition after having been convicted of a felony offense. If convicted on these charges, SALAAM faces up to 10 years imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. 3. DANIEL CALDWELL, 20, of Springfield, was charged in an Indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number. The Indictment alleges that on July 4, 2011, CALDWELL, a previously convicted felon, possessed a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber pistol from which the serial number had been obliterated. If convicted on these charges, CALDWELL faces up to 10 years imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release and a $ 250,000 fine. 4. TODD FAUST, 30, of Springfield, was charged in an indictment with being a felon in

possession of ammunition. The indictment alleges that on May 7, 2011, FAUST, a previously convicted felon, possessed 50 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 10 rounds of .30-06 caliber ammunition, 19 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and three rounds of 12 gauge ammunition. If convicted on this charge, FAUST faces up to life in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and a $ 250,000 fine. 5. JORGE SANCHEZ, 25, of Springfield, was charged in an indictment with possessing with intent to distribute crack cocaine, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The Indictment alleges that SANCHEZ was found to be in possession of crack cocaine, a 9mm handgun and ammunition during his arrest on August 2, 2011, in Springfield. If convicted on these charges, SANCHEZ faces up to life in prison. 6. ANTHONY ZENO, 24, of Springfield, was charged in an indictment with illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition and possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that on Sept. 4, 2011, ZENO, after being previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison, possessed a loaded firearm and cocaine. If convicted on these charges, ZENO faces up to 20 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The following individuals were indicted in three separate state felony indictments: 1. GABRIEL SOTO, 20 of Springfield, was charged with illegal possession of a sawed off shotgun, illegal possession of ammunition, sale of a firearm and sale of ammunition. In addition, SOTO is charged with receiving stolen property over $250 and possession of a firearm with obliterated serial number. If convicted on these charges, SOTO faces up to life imprisonment.
2. ANTHONY DERNAGO, 21 of Springfield, was charged with illegal possession of a firearm with obliterated serial number, illegal possession of ammunition, sale of a firearm and sale of ammunition. In addition, DERNAGO was charged with possession of high capacity feeding device and sale of high capacity feeding device. If convicted, DERNAGO faces up to 10 years in prison. 3. DAVID OYOLA, 28, of Springfield, was charged with illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, sale of a firearm and sale of ammunition. In addition, OYOLA was charged with receiving stolen property over $250. If convicted on these charges OYOLA faces up to 10 years in prison. As a prior felon, if convicted on these charges, OYOLA faces up to 15 years in prison.

An additional three men were charged in state court with illegally possessing narcotics, firearms and ammunition and face warrants for their arrest. No further information regarding these charges will be disclosed pending their apprehension. U.S. Attorney Ortiz; Hampden County District Attorney Mastroianni; SAC Thomas, Commissioner Fitchet; and Colonel Marian McGovern, Superintendent of the Massachusetts

State Police made the announcement today. Assistance was also provided by the United States Marshal Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The federal cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven H. Breslow, Alex Grant, and Todd Newhouse of Ortizs Springfield Branch Office. The state cases will be prosecuted by Hampden County Assistant District Attorney Karen Southerland. The details contained in the above referenced indictments are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###