An associate of the D Street Projects gang in South Boston has been arrested and charged for allegedly selling a firearm and fentanyl to an undercover law enforcement agent. Junior Martinez-Perello, 25, faces one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of fentanyl. He was arrested on the morning of July 1, 2025, and after an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester, was ordered detained pending trial.
The charging documents indicate that Martinez-Perello communicated with undercover law enforcement about selling 100 grams of fentanyl and a firearm. It is alleged that he agreed to meet on May 30, 2025, in Boston for the transaction. On that date, Martinez-Perello reportedly assured the undercover agent that firearms would always be available from him and expressed his capability to obtain and distribute half-kilogram quantities of fentanyl soon.
During the controlled purchase, it is further alleged that Martinez-Perello explained the safety feature on the firearm. At one point during this interaction, he allegedly pointed the loaded firearm towards the ground and manipulated it in a manner consistent with making it safe while attempting to remove live ammunition. During this process, he disengaged the safety mechanism on the firearm and fired one round into the floor.
The charge related to fentanyl possession provides for a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine reaching $1 million. Sentences are determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Scott Riordan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives’ Boston Field Division announced these developments. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Dawley from the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting this case.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative utilizing Department of Justice resources to combat illegal immigration, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect communities from violent crime perpetrators. The operation consolidates efforts from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood.
It is important to note that all details within charging documents are allegations; thus far, Martinez-Perello is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
