United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy | U.S. Department of Justice
A Dominican Republic citizen has been charged in Boston's federal court for allegedly possessing five kilograms of suspected fentanyl and an assault rifle. Leonardo Andujar Sanchez, 28, was residing at the Quality Inn Hotel in Revere, Massachusetts.
Sanchez faces charges including possession with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and being an alien unlawfully in possession of a firearm. He is currently held on related state charges and is scheduled for an initial appearance in federal court.
Charging documents allege that on December 27, 2024, during a search of his hotel room, authorities found five kilograms of suspected fentanyl, an AR-style assault rifle, ammunition, two rifle magazines, digital scales, and numerous latex gloves. Sanchez was immediately taken into state custody following the discovery.
The charge related to fentanyl possession carries a potential life sentence, with a mandatory minimum of ten years and fines up to $10 million. The firearm charge could result in up to 15 years in prison and fines up to $250,000. Sentences are determined by a federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy announced the charges alongside Stephen Belleau from the Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Field Office and James M. Ferguson from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives' Boston Division. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and Revere Police Department also provided assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich is prosecuting the case.
"The details contained in the charging documents are allegations," emphasized officials involved in the case announcement. "The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
