Medford Man Indicted in Connection with Large Malden Drug Bust

[Editor's note: The following information derives from a press statement submitted by Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan's Office.]

A Malden man has pleaded guilty to selling more than 400 pounds of pot in connection with trafficking marijuana into Malden, according to a press statement from Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan's Office.

Joshua Joyner, 21, of Malden, pleaded guilty in Middlesex Superior Court to charges of distribution of a class D drug and conspiracy to traffic marijuana over 100 pounds. Middlesex Superior Court Judge Maynard Kirpalani sentenced the defendant to two years in the house of correction for the distribution charge and three years probation from and after his sentence on the conspiracy charge.

“This defendant has admitted his role in bringing illegal drugs into the city of Malden,” Ryan said in the statement. “I applaud the work of a number of law enforcement agencies for this coordinated effort to remove drugs and guns from the streets of Malden. Our office will continue with the prosecution of the other defendants in this case to ensure the safety of the residents and the community of Malden.”

Joyner was one of 11 defendants, including a 35-year-old Medford man, Herschel Senor, arrested following an investigation that began in October 2012. Joyner and other defendants are allegedly part of a drug organization that allegedly trafficked more than 400 pounds of marijuana into Malden from Northern California.

In March 2013, after search warrants were executed by Massachusetts State Police and Malden Police, seven people were arrested in Malden. Through the course of the ongoing investigation, additional evidence was obtained to support charges against three other defendants, who authorities allege were connected to the drug trafficking operation known as the Maplewood Organization.

Information was also obtained to execute an arrest warrant for a California man who had allegedly shipped large quantities of marijuana to the Malden-based operation for distribution.

Several defendants are also charged with possession of illegal firearms, including an AP-9 assault weapon, a large capacity Glock semiautomatic pistol, a Smith & Wesson semiautomatic handgun that had been stolen from Yarmouth, and a .44 Magnum revolver. Others are alleged to have been involved in the distribution of cocaine, methylenedioxy methamphetamine (also known as MDMA or “Molly”) and phencyclidine (also known as PCP or “Angel Dust”).

The following defendants have been indicted by a Middlesex Grand Jury and their cases are pending:

Dat Tran, 23, of Malden, is charged with possession of ammunition as an armed career criminal, trafficking over 100 pounds of marijuana, and conspiracy to traffic over 100 pounds of marijuana, money laundering and conspiracy to launder money.

Reginald Miller, 20, of Malden, is charged possession of a large capacity weapon during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number during the commission of a felony, possession of a large capacity feeding device, improper storage of a large capacity weapon, trafficking in marijuana over 100 pounds, possession of a firearm as an Armed Career Criminal, possession of ammunition as an armed career criminal (six counts), breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony, attempt to commit a crime (larceny in a building), and conspiracy to traffic in marijuana over 100 pounds.

Daniel Knight, 23, of Malden, is charged with possession of ammunition as an armed career criminal, possession with intent to distribute a class B substance (subsequent offense), and receiving stolen property with a value over $250.

Terrell Rollin-Sutton, 20, of Malden, is charged with possession of a large capacity weapon, possession of a large capacity magazine, possession of ammunition, breaking and entering in the daytime with intent to commit a felony, attempt to commit a crime (larceny in a building) and possession with intent to distribute a class D substance.

Brendan Joyner, 20, of Malden, is charged with possession of firearm with a defaced serial number, improper storage of a firearm, possession of ammunition, and possession of a class B substance.

Deandre West, 21, of Malden, is charged with breaking and entering daytime for a felony, conspiracy to commit breaking and entering, and wanton destruction of property.

Andy Huynh, 29, of Union City, Calif., is charged with trafficking in marijuana over 100 pounds, conspiracy to traffic marijuana over 100 pounds, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Herschel Senor, 35, of Medford, is charged with possession with intent to distribute a Class B drug (phencyclidine) and a drug violation in a school zone.

James Randall, 23, of Malden, was charged with conspiracy to distribute a Class B drug (cocaine), conspiracy to distribute a Class B drug (MDMA), conspiracy to distribute marijuana, and solicitation to commit a felony (possession of a firearm).

Kendrick Leon, 21, of Malden, is charged with conspiracy to traffic marijuana over 100 pounds.

The alleged drug organization allegedly trafficked at least 400 pounds of marijuana into Massachusetts, with a street value of more than $1 million.

Tran, Knight, Rollin-Sutton, West, Joshua Joyner, and Brendan Joyner were arraigned March 28, 2013 in Malden District Court and held on cash bail ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. Miller was arraigned March 28, 2013 and was held without bail. Randall was arraigned June 21, 2013 in Middlesex Superior Court where Middlesex Superior Court Clerk Magistrate Michael Sullivan ordered him held on $20,000 cash bail. Randall’s bail on two pending cases in Malden District Court was revoked.

After their indictment by a Grand Jury, Tran, Miller, Knight, West, Rollin-Sutton, Brendan Joyner, Joshua Joyner, Senor, and Leon were arraigned June 24, 2013 in Middlesex Superior Court and continued to be held on cash bail ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. Huynh was extradited from California and arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court on July 22, 2013. He posted $25,000 cash bail on Aug. 10, 2013.

These charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case is being investigated by the Massachusetts State Police, United States Postal Inspectors, Malden Police and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. The following agencies assisted in the investigation: San Jose Office of the DEA, Union City (California) Police, Saugus Police, Lynn Police, Homeland Security Investigators, Essex District Attorney’s Office, MBTA Transit police, and the State Police Gang Unit.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys David Solet and Stephen Gilpatric.