Boston/ Crime & Emergencies
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Published on October 07, 2024
Boston Mother and Son Sentenced in Massive Fentanyl-Trafficking OperationSource: Google Street View

A mother and her son have recently been dealt their sentences for their roles in a significant drug trafficking scheme. Javier Bello, 29, and his mother, Chevon Dorce, 45, were sentenced in federal court in Boston as part of a DTO responsible for distributing large amounts of counterfeit prescription pills laced with fentanyl and methamphetamine throughout the North Shore.

Javier Bello was handed a 180-month prison sentence, followed by an additional five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty in May 2024 to charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl, as well as possession with intent to distribute a substance containing fentanyl. His sentence serves as a testament to the ongoing battle in the war on drugs against the opioid epidemic, which continues to ravage communities across the nation. Known as "Javi," he actively directed individuals to manage the drugs for him, significantly increasing the risk of substance-induced harm in his community.

Chevon Dorce will serve 23 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after her July 2024 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess controlled substances, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Her home was used as a stash house in the operation, where, in one instance, law enforcement discovered 2.5 kilograms of fentanyl, among other illicit items.

Several other individuals involved in the DTO have received their sentences as well. Kion Shepherd was sentenced to 70 months, while Erick Solis Lopez, who pleaded guilty in October 2023, is now serving a 62-month sentence. Surveillance and intercepted communications were key to identifying the movement of approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills intended for distribution—a discovery highlighting the DTO's substantial reach into the community's fabric. Bello's grip extended far enough to use multiple residencies, including that of Isaac Clayton, to effectively weave a network of crime and addiction.

The operation was a coordinated effort involving multiple police departments and is part of a wider strategy of the OCDETF to target and dismantle high-level criminal organizations that pose significant threats to public safety. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, along with officials from the DEA and the Massachusetts State Police, highlighted the successful multi-agency collaboration in bringing down this ring of narcotics distribution. While the conviction and sentencing bring a measure of justice, the remaining defendants in the case continue to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.