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Third Defendant Pleads Guilty In Investigation of Maplewood Organization

Posted on: February 8, 2014 - 3:19pm

MALDEN–  Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan informed the public today that a Malden man has pleaded guilty to firearm and drug charges, the third defendant to plead guilty after being arrested as part of an investigation into a Malden-based drug trafficking conspiracy.

Brendan Joyner, 21, of Malden pleaded guilty Friday in Middlesex Superior Court to charges of Possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number, Improper Storage of a Firearm, Possession of Ammunition, and Possession of a Class B controlled substance (oxycodone).  Middlesex Superior Court Judge Kimberly S. Budd sentenced Joyner on the lead charge to 2 1/2 years in the House of Correction with 6 months to serve, the balance to be suspended for three years.  The court imposed concurrent sentences to the House of Correction on three additional counts.  After his release, Joyner will be subjected to random urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use, and will be barred from possessing any weapons.

“As part of this coordinated investigation, police obtained a search warrant to search this defendant's home, and discovered an illegally modified, large-caliber weapon - a .44 Magnum Ruger Super Blackhawk revolver with a defaced serial number - as well as live ammunition and illegal narcotics in this defendant’s bedroom,” District Attorney Ryan said.  “We will continue to aggressively prosecute criminals that possess illegal firearms, to ensure the safety of the residents of Malden and the other communities of Middlesex County.”

Joyner was one of 11 defendants arrested following an investigation that began in October of 2012. 

Two other defendants have pleaded guilty.  Herschel Senor, 35, of Medford, pleaded guilty November 8 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 one year to serve, and the balance of the sentence suspended for 3 years.  On October 3, Joshua Joyner, 21, 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 Kirpalani sentenced Joshua Joyner to two years in the house of correction for the distribution charge and three years of probation on the conspiracy charge.

Other defendants are alleged to have been part of a drug organization that trafficked more than 400 pounds of marijuana into Malden from Northern California. 

In March 2013, after search warrants were executed by Massachusetts State Police and Malden Police, seven defendants were arrested in Malden.  Additional evidence was obtained to support charges against three other defendants, who authorities allege were connected to the drug trafficking operation known as the Maplewood Organization.  Finally, information was also obtained leading to the indictment, arrest and extradition of a Northern California man who had allegedly shipped large quantities of marijuana to the Malden-based operation for distribution.

The following defendants have been indicted by a Middlesex Grand Jury and their cases are pending:

  • Dat Tran, 24, of Malden is charged with Possession of Ammunition as an Armed Career Criminal, Trafficking over 100 pounds of Marijuana, Conspiracy to Traffic over 100 pounds of marijuana, Money Laundering and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. 
  • Reginald Miller, 21 of Malden is charged with Possession of a Large Capacity Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device, Improper Storage of a Large Capacity Weapon, Trafficking in Marijuana over 100 lbs., Possession of a Firearm as an Armed Career Criminal, Possession of Ammunition as an Armed Career Criminal (six counts), Breaking and Entering with Intent to Commit a Felony, Attempt to Commit Larceny in a Building, and Conspiracy to Traffic in Marijuana over 100 lbs.
  • Daniel Knight, 23, of Malden is charged with Possession of Ammunition as an Armed Career Criminal, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class B Substance (subsequent offense), and Receiving Stolen Property Over $250 (a firearm). 
  • Terrell Rollin-Sutton, 21, of Malden is charged with Possession of a Large Capacity Weapon, Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device, Possession of Ammunition, Breaking and Entering in the Daytime with Intent to Commit a Felony, Attempt to Commit Larceny in a Building, and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class D substance.
  • Deandre West, 22, of Malden is charged with Possession of Ammunition as an Armed Career Criminal, Breaking and Entering in the Daytime With Intent to Commit a Felony, Conspiracy to Commit Breaking and Entering, and Wanton Destruction of Property. 
  • Andy Huynh, 30, of Union City, Calif., is charged with Trafficking in Marijuana over 100 pounds, Conspiracy to Traffic Marijuana over 100 pounds, and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. 
  • James Randall, 23, of Malden is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute a Class B Controlled Substance (cocaine), Conspiracy to Distribute a Class B Controlled Substance (MDMA or "molly"), Conspiracy to Distribute a Class D Controlled Substance (marijuana), and Solicitation to Commit a Felony (to wit: Possession of a Firearm).
  • Kendrick Leon, 22, of Malden, is charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Marijuana over 100 pounds.

In total, the organization is alleged to have trafficked at least 400 pounds of marijuana into Massachusetts, with a street value of more than $1 million.

These charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys David Solet and Stephen Gilpatric.