Bail Set in 2003 Jamaica Plain Gun Case

A gun defendant who was in default for more than a decade appeared in court yesterday to answer on his case, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

Wellington Matos, 34, of South Boston, walked into Roxbury Municipal Court on May 28, 2015, to answer on a warrant in the 2003 case, which charges two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and single counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of ammunition.

Assistant District Attorney Caitlin Fitzgerald requested bail of $30,000 and that Matos be ordered to wear a GPS, remain in Massachusetts, and surrender his passport in the event he were to be released on bail. Judge Debra DelVecchio imposed $5,000 bail and ordered Matos to wear a GPS, surrender his passport, and continue residing at his current address while the case is pending.

According to the DA’s Office, on March 8, 2003, Boston Police were called to the area of Centre and Mozart streets in Jamaica Plain, where a victim reported that a man in a motor vehicle had pointed a pistol-grip shotgun at him and racked it.

Boston Housing Authority officers observed the motor vehicle described by the victim operating on Centre Street and followed it to the area of Edge Hill and Gay Head Street. There, Boston Police ordered the occupants to show their hands and ordered the driver of the car, later identified as Matos, to exit. As he complied, officers allegedly observed a Mossberg pistol-grip shotgun resting on the floor and driver’s seat between Matos’ legs, prosecutors said.

Also reportedly discovered in the vehicle were a loaded Smith & Wesson .38 Special with four rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber and a duffle bag containing eight 12-guage shotgun shells.

Three passengers of the vehicle were questioned and released; Matos was placed under arrest. He was initially arraigned on the charges two days later, on March 10, 2003, but failed to appear in court again until today.

Matos is represented by Lawrence Gatei. He returns to court on June 17.