Dominican Nation Indicted on Drug and Illegal Reentry Charges

BOSTON – A Dominican national was indicted today in federal court in Boston on charges of fentanyl distribution and illegally reentering the United States.

Francisco Alberto Martinez, 49, a Dominican national residing in Peabody, was indicted on distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl and unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Martinez was previously charged by criminal complaint and was detained following an initial appearance in federal court on May 14, 2019.

According to court documents, Martinez first unlawfully entered the United States on an unknown date. In December 1996, he became a legal permanent resident (LPR), but in 2011, he was convicted in federal court in Boston of cocaine conspiracy and sentenced to 66 months in prison. Upon completion of his sentence in 2014, Martinez lost his LPR status and was deported to the Dominican Republic. On May 1, 2019, Martinez sold fentanyl in Peabody. On May 14, 2019, law enforcement officers arrested Martinez in Peabody and determined that he was illegally present in the United States.

The charge of distribution of fentanyl provides for a minimum sentence of five years and no greater than 40 years in prison, four years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of illegal reentry provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.  Martinez will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Peabody Police Chief Thomas M. Griffin made the announcement. The Boston Organized Crimes Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF); Massachusetts Department of Correction; Norfolk Sheriff’s Office; the Peabody, Concord, Reading, Watertown, Braintree, Waltham, Woburn, Salem, Revere, and Beverly Police Departments; and the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Estes of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.