BOSTON – Five men from Cape Cod and Rhode Island were charged in a superseding indictment unsealed yesterday in federal court in Boston, on charges related to a violent kidnapping and witness retaliation and intimidation scheme.

Three individuals, Edwin Otero, 30, of Hyannis; Justin Joseph, 33, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island; and Anthony Basilici, 36, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island were previously arrested on the original indictment, and are all being detained pending trial.  The superseding indictment also charges two additional individuals, Cameron Cartier, 26, who was arrested and detained on March 16, 2020, and Albert Lee a/k/a “Mook,” 29, who remains at large.

The unsealed indictment supersedes a July 2019 indictment, which originally charged 11  individuals from Cape Cod and Rhode Island with a heroin conspiracy and various firearm charges. 

According to court documents, in April 2019, Otero, Joseph, Basilici, Cartier and Lee lured an unnamed victim from Massachusetts to Rhode Island, where they kidnapped and held him, stripped him naked, assaulted and threatened to rape him, and then took his clothing and cellular telephone.  These same individuals also allegedly conspired to cause physical injury to the victim to retaliate against him because they believed he was cooperating with law enforcement.  Otero and Basilici also allegedly further intimidated or attempted to intimidate other witnesses after the kidnapping.

The charge of kidnapping conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.  The charges of witness intimidation and witness retaliation conspiracy provide 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. 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; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Barnstable Police Chief Matthew K. Sonnabend; and Barnstable County Sheriff James M. Cummings, made the announcement today.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Lauren Graber of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case. 

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

###

 

BOSTON – A Cape Cod man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to his role in a wide-ranging heroin trafficking conspiracy.

Krymeii Fray, 24, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for May 7, 2020.

In May 2019, Fray and 10 co-defendants were arrested and charged with various drug distribution offenses. According to court documents, in 2018, federal, state and local law enforcement began an investigation focusing on Edwin Otero, the alleged leader of a Cape Cod-wide drug trafficking organization. It is alleged that Otero and his co-conspirators distributed large quantities of heroin throughout Cape Cod -including Hyannis, Mashpee, Centerville, and Osterville and Pawtucket, R.I. Interceptions from Otero’s phone identified Fray as a drug trafficker supplied by Otero.

On May 8, 2019, Otero, and others were involved in a shooting at Fray’s residence related to a drug debt Fray allegedly owed Otero. After the shooting, agents intercepted Otero discussing the fact that he had shot at Fray. 

The charge of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin carries a mandatory sentence of five years in prison, a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. 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; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Barnstable Police Chief Paul MacDonald made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Lauren Graber of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.  

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

BOSTON – Eleven Cape Cod and Rhode Island residents were arraigned yesterday in federal court in Boston on a multi-count indictment charging them with participating in a wide-ranging heroin trafficking conspiracy.

Edwin Otero, 29, of Hyannis, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and discharging a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime;

Justin Joseph, 32, of Pawtucket, R.I., was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and discharging a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime;

Krymeii Fray, 23, of Hyannis, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin;

Tony Johnson, 35, of Hyannis, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin;

Anthony Basilici, 35, of Pawtucket, R.I., was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin and discharging a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime;

Vinicius Zangrande, 35, of Centerville, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin;

Brooke Cotell, 25, of Hyannis, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin;

Ronny Baams, 37, of South Yarmouth, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin;

Eric Brando, 27, of Osterville, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin;

 Joshua Johnson, 31, of Mashpee, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin; and

Kimberly Lopes, 49, of Hyannis, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin.

According to court documents, in 2018, federal, state and local law enforcement began an investigation focusing on Edwin Otero, the alleged leader of a Cape Cod-wide drug trafficking organization. It is alleged that Otero and his co-conspirators distributed large quantities of heroin throughout Cape Cod - including Hyannis, Mashpee, Centerville, and Osterville, and Pawtucket, R.I. Interceptions from Otero’s cellphones identified 10 other members of his drug trafficking organization, such as Joseph, who is alleged to be Otero’s top lieutenant; Lopes, Otero’s mother, who distributed heroin for Otero; and Basilici and Zangrande, other key members of the Otero drug cell. In addition, interceptions identified other drug traffickers supplied by Otero, including Fray, Cotell (who is still on federal supervised release from a 2017 heroin conviction), Baams, Tony Johnson, Joshua Johnson, and Brando.

On May 8, 2019, Otero, Joseph and Basilici were allegedly involved in a shooting at Fray’s residence related to a drug debt Fray allegedly owed Otero. After the shooting, agents intercepted Otero discussing the fact that he had shot at Fray. Otero, Joseph and Basilici were also allegedly speaking in code about finding and hiding guns used in the shooting.

Each of the 11 defendants were initially charged by criminal complaint on May 20, 2019. As a result of multiple searches, agents seized heroin, oxycodone, packaging materials, scales, a finger press, cash, and three firearms, including a 9 millimeter assault-type weapon, at Otero’s grandmother’s residence that fit an ammunition clip recovered from Fray’s home on the night of the May 8 shooting.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. Joseph and Tony Johnson face enhanced 10-year mandatory minimum sentences and the possibility of life in prison due to prior drug convictions for which they served more than one year in prison. The charge of conspiracy to distribute heroin carries a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of $1 million. Cotell and Brando face an enhanced maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and at least six years of supervised release due to prior drug convictions. The charge of discharging a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed on the drug trafficking counts, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. 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; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Barnstable Police Chief Paul MacDonald made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Lauren Graber of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case. 

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

BOSTON – Eleven individuals from Cape Cod and Rhode Island were arrested today and charged in federal court in Boston in a wide-ranging heroin conspiracy.

The following individuals were charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin:

Edwin Otero, 29, of Hyannis;

Justin Joseph, 32, of Pawtucket, R.I.;

Anthony Basilici, 35, of Pawtucket, R.I.;

Vinicius Zangrande, 35, of Centerville;

Krymeii Fray, 23, of Hyannis;

Brooke Cotell, 25, of Hyannis;

Ronny Baams, 37, of South Yarmouth;

Tony Johnson, 35, of Hyannis;

Eric Brando, 27, of Osterville;

Joshua Johnson, 31, of Mashpee; and

Kimberly Lopes, 49, of Hyannis

According to court documents unsealed today, in 2018, federal, state and local law enforcement began investigating Edwin Otero, an alleged leader of a Cape Cod-wide drug trafficking organization. It is alleged that the investigation revealed Otero and his 10 co-defendants distributed large quantities of heroin and other controlled substances throughout Cape Cod, including in Hyannis, Mashpee, Centerville, Osterville, and in Pawtucket, R.I.

On May 8, 2019, Otero, Joseph, and Basilici were allegedly involved in a shooting at Fray’s residence related to a drug debt Fray owed. Agents intercepted Otero discussing the fact that he was involved in the shooting.

As a result of search warrants executed today, heroin, packaging materials, scales, a finger press, and three firearms and ammunition, including a 9 millimeter assault-style weapon, were seized. A bullet hole in Fray’s home, consistent with the reported May 8 shooting, was also observed.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. 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; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Barnstable Police Chief Matthew Sonnabend made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Office; U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Field Office; U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office; Federal Bureau of Investigations, Boston Field Office; Massachusetts State Police; Rhode Island State Police; Massachusetts Department of Corrections; Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office; and the Pawtucket (R.I), Providence (R.I), Falmouth, Mashpee, Yarmouth, Dennis, Sandwich, and Brewster police departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Lauren Graber of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case. 

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

BOSTON – A Marstons Mills man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his role in a heroin trafficking operation on Cape Cod.

Sean Pratt, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris to two years in prison and four years of supervised release.  On Sept. 16, 2016, Pratt pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and possession of heroin with the intent to distribute.

Pratt purchased large quantities of heroin from Denzel Chisholm, a former Cape Cod gang leader and drug trafficker, and co-conspirator Brooke Cotell. Pratt then sold this heroin to other distributors and users. During a search of Pratt’s home, law enforcement officers recovered approximately 50 grams of heroin and a firearm.

In June 2017, Chisholm was convicted by a federal jury of multiple counts of federal drug charges, and on Aug. 7, 2017, Cotell was sentenced to 20 months in prison for distributing heroin on Cape Cod.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O’Keefe; and Barnstable Police Chief Paul MacDonald made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen and Miranda Hooker of Weinreb’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON - A Hyannis woman was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for distributing heroin in connection with the Nauti-Block gang.

Brooke Cotell, 23, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris to 20 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In December 2016, Cotell pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute.

In October 2015, federal investigators determined that Nauti-Block leader Denzel Chisholm and other co-conspirators were responsible for a significant quantity of the heroin distributed on Cape Cod. Cotell, specifically, purchased heroin from Chisholm, which she redistributed to other dealers and users.  In November 2015, investigators conducted a traffic stop after watching Cotell and co-defendant Shaun Miller meet with Chisholm.  After a low-speed chase, Cotell and Miller eventually came to a halt. Miller was in the process of attempting to destroy heroin he had in his possession at the time of the stop when he was searched by law enforcement officers.  In addition, text messages recovered during the investigation revealed that Cotell had purchased 100 grams of heroin from Chisholm.

 

In April 2016, 13 members and affiliates of the Nauti-Block gang were charged with federal drug trafficking and firearms offenses.  In total, 19 defendants have been charged with narcotics and firearms offenses as part of the federal investigation. 18 have been convicted, including Chisholm, who was convicted by a federal jury, and Miller, who pleaded guilty in October 2016. The final defendant, Bethanne Hutchings, is scheduled for trial in October. 

 

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O’Keefe; and Barnstable Police Chief Paul MacDonald made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen and Miranda Hooker of Weinreb’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.

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