THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 21, 2025 Page 13 Two Malden men face federal drug charges after allegedly trying to sell kilo of cocaine to undercover agents Both suspects held without bail after hearing; One is a Guatemalan national who re-entered U.S. illegally after being deported Advocate Staff Report T wo Malden men are being held without bail on federal drug charges after allegedly selling cocaine on several occasions to undercover Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agents. They were arrested and charged last week when they attempted to complete their largest sale, a full kilogram of cocaine to federal DEA agents two days before Valentine's Day on February 12. Erick Sandoval-Perez, 43, a Guatemalan national living in Malden, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Christhian Castillo, 32, also of Malden, was charged with disPOLICE | FROM PAGE 12 9:40 a.m. Motor vehicle stop, Emerald Street and Fellsway, Citation issued, 9:56 a.m. Motor vehicle stop, Fellsway and Malden Street, Citation issued, 10:08 a.m. Papers served, 224 Kennedy Drive apartments, 10:11 a.m. Check motor vehicle, Gordon Street, 10:14 a.m. Motor vehicle stop, Citation issued, Emerald Street and Fellsway, 10:14 a.m. Traffic assignment, Jacob and Valley streets, 10:18 a.m. Motor vehicle stop, Citation issued, Emerald Street and Fellsway, 10:18 a.m. Motor vehicle stop, Citation issued, Granite Street, 10:19 a.m. Motor vehicle stop, Citation issued, Emerald Street and Fellsway, 10:20 a.m. Directed patrol, Ferryway School 150 Cross St., Building Secure, 10:25 a.m. Motor Vehicle towed, 58 Wyoming Ave., 10:39 a.m. Directed patrol, Beebe School, 401 Pleasant St., Building Secure, 10:42 a.m. Medical aid, Pierce St., 10:46 a.m. Motor vehicle stop, Citation istribution and possession with intent to distribute 500 or more grams of cocaine and conspiracy to commit that offense. Sandoval-Perez and Castillo had initial appearances and a detention hearing in federal court in Worcester on February 13, and were ordered held without bail pending further proceedings. According to court records, Sandoval-Perez, is a Guatemalan national who was previously deported from the United States and allegedly re-entered illegally. Sandoval-Perez is subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of an imposed sentence, if convicted, and/or when the court proceedings regarding this case conclude. sued, Fellsway and Malden Street, 10:59 a.m. Directed patrol, Forestdale School, 74 Sylvan St., Building secure, 11:00 a.m. Motor vehicle stop, Citation issued, Emerald Street and Fellsway, 11:03 a.m. Check motor vehicle, Whitman Street, 11:08 a.m. Motor vehicle stop, Citation issued, Emerald Street and Fellsway, 11:15 a.m. Traffic assignment, Clifton and Dexter streets, 11:17 a.m. Motor vehicle stop, Citation issued, Emerald Street and Fellsway, 11:25 a.m. Assist public, Mt. Vernon Street, 11:30 a.m. Transport person, Elwell Street, 11:31 a.m. Lost property, Reported at Malden Police Station, 800 Eastern Ave., 11:39 a.m. Medical aid, Malden Police Station, 800 Eastern Ave., 11:42 a.m. Motor vehicle stop, Citation issued, Emerald Street and Fellsway, 11:46 a.m. Motor vehicle stop, Citation issued, Emerald Street and Fellsway, 11:50 a.m. Directed patrol, Salemwood School, 529 Salem St., 11:50 a.m. Keep the peace, Highland Avenue, 11:56 a.m. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA, New England Field Division; Chief Ryan Malatos of the Leominster Police Department; and Chief Brian W. Coyne of the Clinton Police Department made the announcement of the case this week. DEA officials also noted valuable assistance was provided by the Malden Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan O’Shea of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.In court last week, prosecutors said Sandoval-Perez and Castillo allegedly worked together to sell cocaine on several occasions to an undercover law enforcement officer. Last Thursday,February 12, Sandoval-Perez allegedly arranged to sell a kilogram of cocaine to an undercover DEA agent. Castillo was arrested when he allegedly handed the kilogram of cocaine to the undercover officer, and Sandoval-Perez was arrested nearby. —The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1,000,000. —The charges of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 500 or more grams of cocaine, and conspiracy to commit that offense, carry a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, supervised release of at least four years and a fine of up to $5,000,000. Sandoval-Perez is subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of an imposed sentence. Mayor seeks associate member for Board of Appeal M ayor Gary Christenson is reaching out to Malden residents to fill an associate member vacancy on the Board of Appeal. The seven-member Board (five members and two associate members) operates under the mandates of M.G.L. c. 40A and the City of Malden zoning ordinance. The Board of Appeal assists in the administration of the city’s zoning ordinance by considering appeals to vary dimensional controls (lot size, frontage, height, setback, etc.) when a literal application of the ordinance would impose a hardship. Residents may also appeal decisions of the Building Inspector to the Board of Appeal. Board of Appeal members are appointed by the Mayor with City Council confirmation and serve a term of three years. The Board meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The primary difference between an associate member and a full status member is that full members participate and vote on all petitions, hearings and/or matters before the Board for which they are in attendance and do not have a conflict of interest. An associate member participates when there are not five full members available for the hearing. Typically, the need for an associate member arises when a full member is absent from a meeting or is present but has a conflict of interest. Associate members should plan to attend all scheduled Board of Appeal meetings and prepare for them as a full member would, in the event they are called upon to participate. If all five full members attend, the associate members do not participate. If there is one member not in attendance, hearing participation will be alternated between the two associate members. To apply, please complete the online Boards and Commissions Application: www.cityofmalden.org/BCApplication. If you have any questions, please email kmanninghall@cityofmalden.org. The deadline for accepting applications is Wednesday, March 5, 2025. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net
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