BOSTON — On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, federal prosecutors announced that 13 people had been charged for their alleged roles in a drug trafficking organization operating in Central Massachusetts and Puerto Rico that authorities say distributed cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and marijuana.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, each defendant has been charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Prosecutors allege the organization was led by Jack Saez Jr., 34, of Dayville, Connecticut, and that the group received packages through the mail containing kilogram quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico for distribution in Massachusetts.
The charging documents say the investigation began in October 2024 after a person in Southbridge unexpectedly received a package from Puerto Rico that was later determined to contain cocaine, then reported being repeatedly harassed about its whereabouts by two individuals. After this, investigators began to track suspected drug packages sent from Puerto Rico to Worcester County and, after intercepting communications, identified alleged members, customers and suppliers while also confirming the group was distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl. The affidavit also says investigators used tools including physical surveillance, wire interceptions and cell-site simulator data to identify alleged members and their roles.
Investigators said more than 10 kilograms of cocaine shipped through the mail from Puerto Rico to addresses in Worcester County were seized from October 2024 to April 2, 2026. Federal prosecutors also allege the organization distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl. Searches of multiple stash houses and residences in Massachusetts and Puerto Rico allegedly resulted in the seizure of eight firearms, along with distribution quantities of other narcotics.
Those charged with one count each of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances are:
- Jack Saez Jr., 34, of Dayville, Connecticut
- Christopher Rivera Rodriguez, 32, of Puerto Rico
- Jan Carlos Martinez Mendez, 23, of Puerto Rico
- Dayanara Mendez, of Dayville, Connecticut
- Shaquille De Jesus Torres, 32, of Puerto Rico
- Gerardo Villegas Rodriguez, 28, of the Dominican Republic
- Sheldon Herring, 48, of Worcester
- Duamel Ocasio, 55, of Worcester
- Anthony Hines, 57, of Worcester
- Stephen Bandilla III, 55, of East Brookfield
- Justin Gilchrest, 34, of Webster
- Alondra Daleishka Cruz Mendoza, 23, of Puerto Rico
- Ushuuaniliz Hernandez Rios, 21, of Puerto Rico
The conspiracy charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
The case was investigated by federal, state and local agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations and multiple police departments in Massachusetts and Puerto Rico.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Robinson and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Gonzalez Sanchez of the Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.