Two Malden men have been indicted on federal charges related to cocaine distribution. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Erick Sandoval-Perez, 43, a Guatemalan national, and Christhian Castillo, 32, are accused of conspiring to distribute more than half a kilogram of cocaine.
The indictment states that both men sold cocaine multiple times to an undercover law enforcement officer. In February, Castillo was arrested after allegedly delivering one kilogram of cocaine to the officer. Sandoval-Perez was arrested shortly after, at nearly the same location.
If convicted, both face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison. They may also be subject to supervised release and fines of up to several million dollars. Sandoval-Perez may face deportation if convicted.
Castillo remains in custody, while Sandoval-Perez has been released under certain conditions pending further proceedings. Both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The investigation involved the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and local police departments from Leominster, Clinton, and Malden. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan O’Shea of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
