North Shore Roundup Nabs Five Drug Traffickers

June 1, 2010 - BOSTON, MA—In an operation conducted in Lynn today, a number of North Shore individuals have been arrested and charged for violation of federal and state drug trafficking and other laws. The joint operation, conducted by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force, Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office and the Lynn Police Department, resulted in the arrest of six individuals; another individual already in state custody was also charged.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett; Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Massachusetts State Police Colonel Marian J. McGovern; Lynn Police Chief Kevin F. Coppinger; and Essex County Sheriff Frank G. Cousins, Jr. announced today that two Lynn residents, VINCENT VALENTI a/k/a “V”, 22, and ANTHONY COLEMAN a/k/a “AD”, 20, were charged with conspiracy and distribution of cocaine base. NICHOLAS OCCHIUTO a/k/a “DICE”, 26, of Marblehead, was charged with conspiracy and distribution of heroin. VALENTI s also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

COLEMAN and VALENTI, arrested today, will have their detention hearing on June 3 and June 4, respectively. OCCHIUTO is presently in state custody on unrelated charges.

If convicted, VALENTI faces a potential 20-year mandatory minimum sentence with a maximum sentence of life in prison. COLEMAN faces a potential 10-year mandatory minimum sentence with a maximum sentence of life in prison. OCCHIUTO faces a maximum of 30 years in prison.

Also in connection with this operation, the Essex DA’s Office filed state charges against: RAVEN COLEMAN, 18, of Lynn, for distribution of crack cocaine and drug violation near a school or park; JOSHUA DEMOS a/k/a “KNOCCA”, 25, of Seabrook, NH, for larceny over $250; CARL GRAHAM of Lynn, for counterfeit drug distribution; and EURISTENE FERRARAS of Lynn, for trafficking over 14 grams of cocaine and over 28 grams of heroin.

The federal cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Levitt of Ortiz’s Organized Crime Strike Force Unit. The state charges are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney A.J. Camelio of Essex District Attorney’s Office.

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