Rolondo Guzman, 36, pleaded not guilty to four counts of distribution of cocaine

Rolondo Guzman, 36, pleaded not guilty to four counts of distribution of cocaine, the day after Salem police arrested him following a two-week investigation.Police Detective William Jennings began investigating after getting a tip that two drug dealers, "Willie" and "Nick," had recently started doing business in the city, prosecutor Caleb Weiner said. An undercover officer arranged to meet "Nick" — later identified as Guzman — in a gas station parking lot on Boston Street on the night of March 31. The officer used marked money to purchase a small quantity of cocaine, about $40 worth. She made several other transactions with "Nick" and "Willie" on April 1 and April 3. The final deal was set up for April 8. That's when police moved in and arrested Guzman. They found three bags of cocaine in a Perry Ellis perfume bottle, some cash, which included the money used in the most recent transaction, and cell phones, including one with the number the officer had used to set up the drug deals. Police are still working to identify the second man. Weiner asked Salem District Court Judge Richard Mori to set bail at $25,000 cash, noting Guzman's ties to the Dominican Republic. Defense lawyer Ray Buso argued that Guzman has lived in the United States for 17 years and has a family here. He offered to surrender Guzman's Dominican passport. Buso pointed to Guzman's record, which includes prior arrests on charges including armed home invasion, but no convictions. Judge Richard Mori set bail at $5,000 cash, an amount that was posted immediately by Guzman's family.Guzman is due back in court on May 28.

Rolondo Guzman, 36, pleaded not guilty to four counts of distribution of cocaine

Rolondo Guzman, 36, pleaded not guilty to four counts of distribution of cocaine, the day after Salem police arrested him following a two-we...

Read more »

Lawrence Doyle was arrested in June 2007 after family members upset about his cocaine use and dealing from their home tipped off police

Lawrence Doyle of 7 Elwell St. was arrested in June 2007 after family members upset about his cocaine use and dealing from their home tipped off police.After searching his house and finding 2.8 grams of cocaine in separately packaged bags, detectives searching Doyle's car and clothes found 21.8 grams of cocaine, a vial with six OxyContin tablets and $1,216 in cash.Doyle pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute Thursday in Essex County Superior Court in Salem. A third count of possession with intent to distribute was thrown out.<br />In addition to the prison time, Doyle received two years of probation and was fined $240.

Lawrence Doyle was arrested in June 2007 after family members upset about his cocaine use and dealing from their home tipped off police

Lawrence Doyle of 7 Elwell St. was arrested in June 2007 after family members upset about his cocaine use and dealing from their home tipped...

Read more »

Christian Renteria-Ley sold the heroin to Ryan Dean Russell, who then sold some of the illegal drug to Mary Gilliland.

32-year-old Mexican man has been sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison for his role in the heroin overdose death of a Salem man two years ago.Federal prosecutors said Christian Renteria-Ley sold the heroin to Ryan Dean Russell, who then sold some of the illegal drug to Mary Gilliland.Her husband, 46-year-old Thomas Gilliland, died of an overdose after taking the drug in March 2006.Russell was sentenced to 87 months in prison for his role in the death, and Mary Gilliland was sentenced to 48 months.Anyone convicted of being in the chain of distribution of a drug that results in the death of another person could face life in prison under federal law.

Christian Renteria-Ley sold the heroin to Ryan Dean Russell, who then sold some of the illegal drug to Mary Gilliland.

32-year-old Mexican man has been sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison for his role in the heroin overdose death of a Salem man ...

Read more »

Philip F.Sassone was conducting drug transactions at the Jiffy Lube location after normal business hours

Philip F. Sassone Jr., 23, take part in a drug deal after the Rantoul Street business closed Tuesday. Police went in to arrest Sassone and said they found approximately 10 grams of cocaine in 11 bags hidden inside a pack of cigarettes. <br />Sassone, of 37 Dunlap St., Salem, is charged with cocaine possession with intent to distribute and a school-zone violation. The business is near Briscoe Middle School.<br />A woman who answered the phone at the Beverly Jiffy Lube denied Sassone was arrested at work and had no comment. <br />"Mr. Sassone was conducting drug transactions at the Jiffy Lube location after normal business hours," said Patrolman John McCarthy, police spokesman. "During the course of this investigation, it was learned that Mr. Sassone had conducted transactions during normal business hours, as well."<br />Sassone's arrest is the second time in just over a year that police have arrested a Jiffy Lube employee for allegedly selling cocaine while on the job.<br />On March 28, 2007, Jiffy Lube employee Derek Ellcock, then 25, of Salem, was charged with distribution of crack cocaine. Jiffy Lube spokesman Virginia Sanchez said the company is aware of the arrest on Tuesday. <br />"We will fully cooperate with local authorities and are conducting our own internal investigation of the matter," Sanchez said. "We do not condone illegal activity of any kind that involves our service centers, and we take this matter very seriously."<br />Sassone was arrested by police Sgt. Michael Cassola, Detectives Thomas Nolan and Richard Ganey, and Patrolmen Harold Geary and Michael Flynn.

Philip F.Sassone was conducting drug transactions at the Jiffy Lube location after normal business hours

Philip F. Sassone Jr., 23, take part in a drug deal after the Rantoul Street business closed Tuesday. Police went in to arrest Sassone and s...

Read more »