For the past several months members of the Springfield Police FIU have been conducting a drug and illegal firearm investigation at a home on the 300 block of Eastern Avenue. Detectives then applied for and were granted a search warrant for the home with Ivan Marrero Jr. as the target of the investigation.
Prior to the execution of the warrant Detectives were conducting surveillance outside the home and observed Marrero get into a car and drive away. When Marrero eventually stopped on Worthington Street Detectives detained him pending the execution of the warrant. During a search of his car Detectives located more than 60 grams of marijuana.
During the search of the home Detectives recovered a loaded firearm, various types of ammunition, two 50 round drum magazines and additional magazines. They also seized more than 165 grams of cocaine, approximately 560 bags of heroin and more than $7100 in cash, additional crack-cocaine and OxyContin.
The recovered firearm was reported stolen out of Holyoke. Marrero has been convicted on illegal firearms charges on three separate occasions most recently in 2020.
This is the 125th illegal gun seized by the Springfield Police Firearms Unit in 2023.
Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood stated, “Our Firearms Investigation Unit continues to seize illegal firearms at a record pace, which undoubtedly saves lives and reduces gun violence. Their investigations target dangerous suspects and proactively prevents shootings. Although with this suspect it continues to be a game of catch and release. When he gets out of jail he goes back to terrorizing our residents with illegal drugs and guns. The type of firepower this suspect had in his home is quite frightening. I’d really hope a fourth strike is enough to hold this suspect for a very long time.”
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “Once again, tremendous work by our Springfield Police Department and the Firearms Investigation Unit. Our brave and dedicated men and women of the Police Department continue to take a record number of illegal guns off our streets and out of our neighborhoods. They also continue to arrest repeat criminal offenders. How many times must these repeat violent criminal offenders be arrested on serious gun and drug charges before our courts and some judges stop this ‘catch and release’ game and actually do their job and hold up their end of our partnership to keep our streets, neighborhoods and residents safe. This individual had some serious firepower. Sadly, as we have seen too often, these repeat violent criminal offenders do not care for the safety and health of our residents and innocent bystanders. There are no consequences for their serious illegal behavior and activity from our courts and some judges, so they continue to terrorize our community.”
“My administration will continue to make public safety my first priority. Besides enhancing our proactive suppression efforts with all of our public safety partners and agencies, we will continue to partner with our nonprofits and community based institutions and centers to provide a wide variety of services, programs and initiatives that offer individuals and their families a chance to change their ways and go forward on a positive path, for the betterment of our community.”
38-year-old Ivan Marrero Jr. of Springfield is charged with:
- Possession of a Firearm without an FID Card - Subsequent Offense
- Firearm Violation with 3 Prior Violent/Drug Crimes
- Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony
- Possession of a Large-Capacity Magazine (Five Counts)
- Possession of a Large-Capacity Firearm during the Commission of a Felony (Five Counts)
- Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm
- Improper Storage of a Firearm
- Parole Violation Warrant
- Receiving Stolen Property Less than $1200
- Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card
- Trafficking Cocaine (100-200 grams)
- Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class D Drug
- Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug - Subsequent Offense (Two Counts)
- Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug - Subsequent Offense
