Dominican man residing in Massachusetts indicted for allegedly reentering the United States and distributing fentanyl

BOSTON – A Dominican man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly reentering the United States and distributing fentanyl after previously being deported.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Justice, Juan Carlos Santos-Ocasio, a/k/a “Cristhian Aybar-Done,” 40, was indicted on one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Santos-Ocasio appeared before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell on Dec. 23, 2022 and remains in federal custody. He was previously arrested and charged on Nov. 29, 2022.

In October 2007, Santos-Ocasio was arrested in the Bronx, N.Y., on heroin distribution conspiracy charges. Santos-Ocasio is a citizen of the Dominican Republic and did not have legal authority to be present in the United States. In November 2008, Santos-Ocasio pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of New York to heroin distribution conspiracy and was subsequently sentenced to 37 months in prison. He was removed from the United States upon completion of his sentence in the summer of 2010.

Sometime after his removal, Santos-Ocasio allegedly reentered the United States unlawfully. In November 2022, he was arrested in Lawrence for allegedly reentering the United States without authorization. According to the indictment, in addition to the charge of being in the U.S. without authorization, Santos-Ocasio also allegedly distributed 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

The charge of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Todd Lyons, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin Brown of Rollins’ Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.