By: Laura Soukkavong
Springfield – Under the direction of Lt. Jaime Bruno, on Feb. 25 at 9:50 a.m., the Springfield Police Department Firearms Unit, in coordination with the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, arrested two individuals after a narcotics investigation in the area of Worthington Street. Reports state that two illegal firearms, fentanyl, cocaine, ammunition, and cash were seized.
After an investigation of suspected fentanyl and cocaine distribution in the area for two months, the investigation later identified Shadiamond Maldonado, 22, of Springfield, and Luis Sanchez-Perez, 26, of Springfield. On Feb. 24, detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence.
During the early morning hours on Feb. 25, detectives observed Sanchez-Perez in the area and took him into custody. During a search, reports say officers recovered a loaded firearm, 42 bags of fentanyl, and 5.7 grams of powder and crack cocaine. It was later discovered that the firearm had been reported stolen from Tennessee.
As investigators executed the search warrant at the apartment, Maldonado was taken into custody. Detectives reported locating a loaded handgun outside an open window, along with two firearm magazines, one of which was a high-capacity magazine, 38 rounds of loose ammunition, and $409 in cash inside.
Maldonado faces charges including possession of a firearm without a valid FID or LTC, possession of ammunition without an FID, possession with intent to distribute Class A and Class B substances, Improper storage of a firearm, Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, Conspiracy to Violate Narcotics laws, and possession of a high-capacity feeding device.
Sanchez-Perez faces similar firearm and narcotics-related charges, along with additional counts including receiving stolen property, carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.
Both are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.