FITCHBURG — After 32 people were arrested in a major drug sweep around near downtown Wednesday, officials are putting drug dealers on notice.
“The criminals out there have to know that we’re going to find you and we’re going to lock you up. You’re not going to be working in Fitchburg anymore,” said Mayor Stephen DiNatale at a Thursday press conference at the Police Department.
According to Police Chief Ernest Martineau, arrest warrants have been issued for an additional 12 people in connection the “several months” long investigation.
The 32 arrests already made were on charges ranging from heroin and morphine trafficking to conspiracy, according to the district attorney’s office.
Martineau said the sweep sends a message.
“Yesterday, a very clear and concise message was sent to the people in Fitchburg: Not in our town,” he said. “We are making it clear that we have zero tolerance in the city for the distribution and sale of illegal drugs on our streets.”
The arrests began Wednesday morning, said Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. The investigation included a series undercover drug buys of heroin and cocaine, he said.
Early commended law enforcement officials for “good old fashion police work” and “heady street smarts.”
Over 50 law enforcement agencies were involved in the investigation including the North Worcester County Drug Task Force, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, the gang unit and violent fugitive apprehension unit of Massachusetts State Police.
Officials did not disclose the quantity of drugs seized. Early said several of the people charged were arraigned Wednesday in District Court.
Early said the objective of the sweep was to stop “open market drug sales” in the city. He noted a recent federal grant his office received that pays for low-level drug offenders battling addiction to get treatment while prosecution of charges against them are suspended.
“The operation and the subsequent prosecutions will improve the quality of life in Fitchburg and have an immediate benefit to the neighborhoods affected by these street level drug sales,” he said.
DiNatale said diversion and recovery programs will always be available to those battling addiction, but criminals who break drug laws will be arrested.
He said “we need more of these operations” to “really do a clean sweep,” he applauded the police agencies involved and said “I have very little patience for what goes on in our city.”
Martineau said the sweep will have a “lasting impact” on stemming the flow of illicit narcotics into Fitchburg. But, he said, the “fight is not over.”
“We will continue to do everything in our power to disrupt the flow of this poison coming into our streets,” Martineau said.
Those arrested are:
Amy Smith, 41, 70 East St., Fitchburg; possession with intent to distribute class B controlled substance and conspiracy; $500 cash bail.
Andrew Warburton, 25, 919 Water St., Fitchburg; possession with intent to distribute class D controlled substance; released on written promise to appear.
Brittany M. Bricault, 32, homeless; possession with intent to distribute class D controlled substance and conspiracy; released with written promise to appear and remain drug free.
Bruno Correa, 20, 32 Baker Passway, Apt. 2, Fitchburg; possession with intent to distribute a class D controlled substance; released on a written promise to appear.
Candance Doten, 30, homeless; conspiracy; released on a written promise to appear and remain drug free.
Carlos Torres, 25, no address listed; one count of possession with intent to distribute a class A controlled substance and one count of possession with intent to distribute a class B controlled substance, and conspiracy; $1,000 cash bail and bail revoked for former arrest.
Cedric H. Byars, 50, homeless; conspiracy; $1,000 cash bail and remain drug free.
Charlotte L. Fowler, 45, 217 Mechanic St., Apt. 1, Fitchburg; three counts of conspiracy; released on written promise to appear and bail revoked on former arrest.
Felipe Andres Negron, 25, homeless; possession with intent to distribute class A controlled substance and conspiracy; $1,500 cash bail.
Francisco Laboy, 41, 83 Mechanic St., Apt. 2, Fitchburg; possession with intent to distribute class A controlled substance and conspiracy; $5,000 cash bail.
Javier A. Maldonado, 33, homeless, possession with intent to distribute a class A controlled substance and conspiracy; $3,000 cash bail.
Jean D. Pierre, 56, 118 Myrtle Ave., Apt. 2, Fitchburg; possession with intent to distribute a class D controlled substance; released on a written promise to appear.
Josue Antonio Rios, 41, homeless; conspiracy; $1,000 cash bail.
Keith A. Curtis, 32, 221 N. Orange Road, Athol; possession with intent to distribute a class B controlled substance and conspiracy; $2,500 cash bail.
Kimberly Gammel, 45, 94 High St., Fitchburg; conspiracy; released on written promise to appear with no conditions.
Melissa J. Howard, 39, 118 Myrtle Ave., Apt. 2, Fitchburg; possession with intent to distribute a class B controlled substance; $500 cash bail and remain drug free.
Miguel Angel Castro, 25, 45 West St., Fitchburg; conspiracy; released on written promise to appear and remain drug free.
Mizal Rodrguez-Gomez, 31, 135 Charles St., Apt. 2F, Fitchburg; possession with intent to distribute a class B controlled substance and conspiracy; $1,000 cash bail.
Nancy Lupien, 52, 74 Mt. Globe St., Apt. 2, Fitchburg; possession with intent to distribute a class B controlled substance and conspiracy; released on written promise to appear and remain drug free.
Randy Perez, 35, 775 Main St., Fitchburg; two counts of possession with intent to distribute a class B controlled substance and two counts of conspiracy; released on written promise to appear and remain drug free.
Roslyn Cabral, 28, 47 Simond St., basement; possession with intent to distribute a class A controlled substance and conspiracy; released on written promise to appear and remain drug free.
Stephanie L. Pomerleau, 36, homeless; larceny from a person; $500 cash bail.
Terrence J. Pitre, 55, 105 Emerald St.; possession with intent to distribute a class B controlled substance and conspiracy; released on written promise to appear and remain drug free.
Theodore Norris, 26, 92 Day St., Apt. 3, Fitchburg; possession with intent to distribute a class B controlled substance subsequent offense and conspiracy; $5,000 cash bail.
Theresa Bidleman, 43, 30 Prichard St., Apt. 3, Fitchburg; possession with intent to distribute a class B controlled substance and conspiracy; $500 cash bail and remain drug free.
Unique Serrano, 28, 217 Mechanic St., Apt. 2, Fitchburg; possession with intent to distribute a class B controlled substance and conspiracy; released on written promise to appear.
Class A controlled substance – narcotics
Class B controlled substance – cocaine
Class C controlled substance – tranquilizers
Class D controlled substance – marijuana
More arrests are expected.
Editor’s Note: Terrence J. Pitre Jr. was not arrested in the sweep. It was his father who was arrested.
