SALEM – A Salem man has been arrested and charged with supplying the drugs that caused a fatal overdose, Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker, Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller, Peabody Police Chief Thomas Griffin and Lynn Police Chief Chris Reddy made that announcement today.
Ericson Almonte-Rojas, 30, was arrested in Lynn Thursday based on witness testimony and phone records belonging to the person who overdosed in Salem earlier this month.
Almonte-Rojas was arrested after allegedly responding to a phone related to the case and being caught not only with 25 grams of suspected fentanyl but a 9mm semi-automatic pistol – with seven rounds of ammunition – that had been reported stolen from Salem in 2020.
Almonte-Rojas was charged with trafficking a Class A substance (fentanyl) in excess of 10 grams, unlicensed possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm during a felony, receiving stolen property and possessing illegal ammunition.
He was booked at the Massachusetts State Police Barracks in Danvers and held on $15,000 bail. His arraignment is pending.
“This should send a message to anyone dealing in fentanyl that you will face the consequences,” Tucker said.
The arrest was the result of a joint effort between the Essex County District Attorney’s Office State Police Detective Unit, the Salem, Peabody and Lynn Police Departments, and the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit.
