Tenth Defendant Pleads Guilty In Investigation Of Maplewood Organization
WOBURN- Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis announced that a Malden man has pleaded guilty to charges relating to trafficking over 100 pounds of marijuana and illegal possession of a firearm. He is the tenth defendant to plead guilty after being arrested as part of an investigation into a Malden-based drug trafficking conspiracy identified as the Maplewood Organization.
Reginald Miller, 23, of Malden, pleaded guilty in Middlesex Superior Court on Thursday, September 17, to trafficking over 100 pounds of marijuana, conspiracy to traffic over 100 pounds of marijuana, breaking and entering in the daytime with intent to commit a felony, possession of a large capacity firearm during the commission of a felony, attempting to commit larceny from a building, possession of a large capacity firearm, possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number during the commission of a felony, improper storage of a large capacity firearm, and possession of a firearm without a license.
Middlesex Superior Court Justice Laurence Pierce sentenced Miller to 6 years to 6 years and one day in state prison, followed by 4 years of probation.
“This plea is the culmination of a lengthy investigation that resulted from a multi-state law enforcement collaboration,” stated District Attorney Ryan said. “Its effect has been to disband an organized, armed drug operation that had its base in Malden.”
Malden Chief of Police Kevin Molis added, “I want to thank all of the law enforcement agencies who participated in this investigation. Malden is a safer community now that this criminal enterprise has been dismantled.”
Miller was one of eleven defendants arrested following a wide-ranging investigation that began in October 2012. Seven defendants were arrested in Malden in March 2013, after search warrants were executed by Massachusetts State Police and Malden Police. Additional evidence was obtained to support charges against three additional defendants and the indictment, arrest, and extradition of a Northern California man who allegedly had shipped large quantities of marijuana to the Malden-based operation for distribution. In total, the drug organization is alleged to have trafficked at least 400 pounds of marijuana into Malden from Northern California, with a street value of more than $1 million.
Nine other defendants previously pleaded guilty in Middlesex Superior Court.
On October 3, 2013, Joshua Joyner, 24, of Malden, pleaded guilty in Middlesex Superior Court to charges of distribution of a Class D substance and conspiracy to traffic marijuana over 100 pounds. Middlesex Superior Court Judge Maynard Kirpalanisentenced him to 2 years in the house of correction for the distribution charge and 3 years of probation on the conspiracy charge.
On November 8, 2013, Herschel Senor, 37, of Medford, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute phencyclidine (“PCP” or “Angel Dust”) and was sentenced by Middlesex Superior Court Judge Heidi Brieger to 2 ½ years in the House of Correction, with 1 year to serve, and the balance of the sentence suspended for 3 years.
On February 7, 2014, Brendan Joyner, 23, of Malden pleaded guilty in Middlesex Superior Court to charges of possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, improper storage of a firearm, possession of ammunition without a license, and possession of a Class B controlled substance. Middlesex Superior Court Judge Kimberly Budd sentenced Joyner on the lead charge to 2 1/2 years in the House of Correction with 6 months to serve and the balance to be suspended for 3 years. The court imposed concurrent sentences to the House of Correction on three additional counts.
On March 7, 2014, Kendrick Leon, 24, of Malden, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a Class D substance and was sentenced to 3 years of probation.
On April 15, 2014, Dat Tran, 25, of Malden, pleaded guilty in Middlesex Superior Court to possession of ammunition as an armed career criminal (two counts), trafficking over 100 pounds of marijuana, conspiracy to traffic over 100 pounds of marijuana, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Middlesex Superior Court Judge Heidi Brieger sentenced Tran to 3 years in state prison on the lead charges, with 3 years of probation to be served following the period of incarceration on the charges of conspiracy. Tran was also ordered to surrender $2,730 in cash, a computer and cell phones.
On June 20, 2014, Terrell Rollin-Sutton, 22, of Malden pleaded guilty in Middlesex Superior Court to possession of a large capacity weapon, possession of a large capacity feeding device, improper storage of a large capacity weapon, possession of ammunition, breaking and entering a building with the intent to commit a felony, attempt to commit larceny in a building, and possession with intent to distribute a Class D substance. Middlesex Superior Court Judge S. Jane Haggerty sentenced Rollin-Suttonto to 2 1/2 years in state prison on the firearm charges, with 3 years of probation to be served following the period of incarceration on the remaining counts. Rollin-Sutton was also ordered to surrender $540 in illegal drug proceeds, and to pay restitution for the damage he and two codefendants caused during the act of breaking into a Malden apartment while looking for a missing drug shipment. Rollin-Sutton’s firearm, a large-capacity .40 Glock semiautomatic pistol, along with the ammunition and illegal drugs, were ordered destroyed by the Court.
On July 1, 2014, DeAndre West, 23, of Malden, pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition, breaking and entering in the daytime with the intent to commit a felony, and attempting to commit larceny in a building. Middlesex Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone sentenced West to 2 years in the house of correction on the ammunition and attempted larceny charges, with 3 years of probation on the breaking and entering charge, following the period of incarceration. As a condition of his probation, West will be required to pay restitution for the damage he and two codefendants caused during the act of breaking into a Malden apartment while looking for a missing drug shipment, and he was prohibited from possessing any dangerous weapons. The Court also ordered that numerous cellular phones seized from his residence be forfeited, and that his ammunition be destroyed.
On July 29, 2014, Daniel Knight, 25, of Malden, pleaded guilty in Middlesex Superior Court to possession of ammunition as an armed career criminal, possession with intent to distribute oxycodone as a subsequent offender, and receiving over $250 in stolen property. Middlesex Superior Court Judge Kimberly Budd sentenced Knight to 3 years in prison on the ammunition and drug-related charges, to be followed by 3 years of probation on the stolen property charge. The Court also ordered that the stolen weapon be returned to its lawful owner and the drugs be destroyed.
On November 14, 2014, Andy Huynh, 32, of Union City, California, pleaded guilty in Middlesex Superior Court to conspiracy to traffic marijuana, distribution of marijuana, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Middlesex Superior Court Judge Mitch Kaplan sentenced Huynh to five years of probation and a $10,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Massachusetts State Police, United States Postal Inspectors, Malden Police and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. The following agencies assisted in the investigation: San Jose Office of the DEA, Union City (California) Police, Saugus Police, Lynn Police, Homeland Security Investigators, Essex District Attorney’s Office, MBTA Transit police, and the State Police Gang Unit.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Graham Van Epps and David Solet.
One remaining defendant has also been indicted by a Middlesex Grand Jury and his case is pending:
James Randall, 25, of Malden is charged with conspiracy to distribute a Class B controlled substance, conspiracy to distribute a Class D controlled substance, and solicitation to commit a felony.
These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Jessica Hogan.