A Dominican national who previously lived unlawfully in Lawrence under a false identity has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to conspiracy charges related to the possession and distribution of controlled substances.
Eduardo Morales-Perez, also known as “Yenni Rafael Guerrero Aybar,” 41, entered his plea on September 2, 2025. U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for October 8, 2025.
According to court documents, law enforcement began investigating Morales-Perez in March 2018 as part of a money laundering operation. Undercover officers arranged a cash pickup, during which an individual delivered $275,090 to undercover agents at a predetermined location. The individual was driving a white Volvo registered to Morales-Perez’s girlfriend.
After the transaction, authorities tracked the vehicle to a property in Peabody. In May 2018, surveillance teams observed Morales-Perez exiting a truck with acetone—a chemical often used in making fentanyl analogues—and carrying it into the residence. A search of the property later that month uncovered significant evidence: one kilogram pill press; drug distribution paraphernalia; more than 2.8 kilograms of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues; over five kilograms of ANPP (a substance commonly used in producing fentanyl); and $130,000 in cash packaged similarly to the earlier seized funds. These items were found hidden above a light fixture.
The charge carries penalties including up to 20 years imprisonment, at least three years and up to life on supervised release, and fines reaching $1 million. Morales-Perez is subject to deportation after serving any imposed sentence. Sentencing will follow federal guidelines and statutes.
“United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Medford, Peabody and Ipswich Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren A. Graber and Brian J. Sullivan of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.”
