32 Arrested Following Lawrence-Area Gun And Drug Investigation

LAWRENCE, MA — Thirty-two people were charged in state and federal court Friday after a drug and gun investigation in the Lawrence area, prosecutors said. According to a release by the U.S. Attorney's office, over 70 state, local and federal agents were involved in arrests Friday morning. Seventy-nine guns were taken by law enforcement.

Prosecutors said that 18 of the defendants are members or associates of Lawrence's Trinitarios street gang. They also say that defendants sold guns and drugs including fentanyl, heroin and cocaine.

The release continues:

"The following individuals were charged in U.S. District Court:

1. Arismendy Gil-Padilla, a/k/a “Flow,” 29, of Methuen, was charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, and distribution of and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl;
2. Jonathan Arias, 29, of Indianapolis, Ind., was charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition;
3. Emilio Rodriguez, 32, of Lynn, was charged with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base;
4. Enrique Rosario, a/k/a “Kike”, 32, of Lawrence, was charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition;
5. John Harry Morales, a/k/a “Harry”, 33, of Lawrence, was charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition;
6. Jose Aponte, a/k/a “Kiko”, 33, of Lawrence, was charged with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition;
7. Jose Omar Hernandez-Aragones, a/k/a “Omar,” 22, of Lawrence, was charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition and distribution of and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base;
8. Kevin Gomez, a/k/a “Monkey,” 31, of Haverhill, was charged with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute heroin, and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition;
9. Keysi Batista, 30, of Methuen, was charged with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl;
10. Luis Ruiz Gonzalez, 27, of Lawrence, was charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and
11. Yisthen Ynoa, a/k/a “Cantifla,” 34, of Lawrence, was charged with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

The following 21 individuals were charged by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office with various state firearm and drug offenses:

1. Pedro Arias, 63, of Lawrence;
2. Jonathan Delgado, 35, of Lawrence;
3. Victor Diaz, 22, of Lawrence;
4. Luis Diaz-Brito, a/k/a “Blackie,” 22, of Lawrence;
5. Yolvie Diaz-Martinez, 22, of Salem;
6. Ulises Espinal, a/k/a “Ezequiel,” 34, of Methuen;
7. Robinson Gaston-Santana, 29, of Lawrence;
8. Francis Gotay, 29, of Haverhill;
9. J.M.;
10. J.R.;
11. Jose Nunez, a/k/a “Oreja,” 24, of Methuen;
12. Anthony Nunez-Romano, 20, of Methuen;
13. Alexis Paredes, a/k/a “Cabeza,” 31, of Lawrence;
14. Kevin Perez-Lorenzo, 20, of Salem;
15. Guaril Poche-Brito, a/k/a ‘Chamakito,” 21, of Haverhill;
16. Kenneth Rodriguez, 31, of Lawrence;
17. Temistocles Santana, a/k/a “Omar,” 28, of Lawrence;
18. Jael Guillen-Perez, 20, of Haverhill;
19. Alan Acosta, 23, of Lawrence;
20. Abigail Arias, 20, of Lawrence; and
21. Eliezer Taveras, a/k/a “Bad Bunny,” 18, of Lawrence."

J.M. & J.R. were juveniles at the time of their alleged offensives, so their names were redacted.

Some federal drug trafficking conspiracy and distribution charges have sentences up to life in prison.