Mexican National Indicted on Fentanyl Charges

BOSTON – A Mexican national living in Lawrence was indicted yesterday on charges of trafficking fentanyl.

Jesus Gracielo Garcia-Vega, a/k/a Jonathan Ivan Badillo-Hernandez, 34, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Garcia-Vega was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on March 24, 2022, and has remained in custody since then.

According to charging documents, it is alleged that on March 23, 2022, Garcia-Vega gave a sample of fentanyl to a confidential source working with law enforcement. During that transaction, Garcia-Vega agreed to sell a kilogram of fentanyl the next day to the confidential source. On March 24, 2022, Garcia-Vega drove to the Premium Outlets in Wrentham with a kilogram of fentanyl inside a laundry bag, intending to sell it to the confidential source, but was stopped by police on I-495 in Westford and arrested.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. If convicted, Garcia-Vega is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.