Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
Denys Gonzalez Hernandez, a 33-year-old Lynn resident, pleaded guilty on Mar. 26 in federal court in Boston to charges related to drug trafficking and firearms. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin set sentencing for June 25.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to address drug-related crimes and illegal firearms possession within the community.
Hernandez admitted to possessing with intent to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl, at least 28 grams of cocaine base, and methamphetamine. He also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm during the commission of these offenses. Authorities said that during a February 2025 search of an apartment shared by Hernandez and alleged co-conspirator Lexus Perez in Lynn, officers found two loaded firearms along with significant quantities of fentanyl, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine. After the search, Hernandez was arrested; officers reportedly found additional baggies containing cocaine and fentanyl hidden in his sock.
According to prosecutors, the charge for possession with intent to distribute carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years up to life imprisonment as well as supervised release terms ranging from five years up to life and fines reaching $10 million. The firearm charge mandates at least five years' imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence imposed by the court.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the plea alongside officials from several law enforcement agencies including Thomas Greco of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker; and Christopher P. Reddy, Chief of Lynn Police Department.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative involving resources from various Department of Justice programs—to combat illegal immigration as well as organized crime groups involved in violent crime activities such as drug trafficking.
The indictment against Perez remains pending; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
