SPD FIU Detectives Continue Enforcement in the Worthington Street Area

09/02/2025

SPD FIU Detectives Continue Enforcement in the Worthington Street Area

Springfield, Mass. — A Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit led operation resulted in eight arrests and the seizure of cocaine and heroin/fentanyl during continued enforcement efforts to curtail open-air drug distribution in the Worthington Street area.

On August 27th at approximately 3:15 p.m., members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU), Hampden County Sheriff's Department, United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force and Massachusetts State Police arrested three suspects on Sackett Place.

Detectives have been investigating open-air drug dealing on Sackett Place, which is a dead-end street off of Worthington Street. Detectives moved in and arrested Jonathan Fonseca-Tirado, Merkin Andrade and Rene Soto. Detectives seized 78 capsules of cocaine and 36 packets of heroin/fentanyl from Andrade. Detectives also recovered seven packets of heroin/fentanyl from Fonseca-Tirado and a total of $1081 from both suspects. An additional six packets of heroin/fentanyl were recovered from Soto.

On August 28th at approximately 2:45 p.m., members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) under the direction of Lieutenant Jaime Bruno and Sergeant Evan Donermeyer along with members of the Hampden County Sheriff's Department arrested five suspects on the 900 block of Worthington Street following an investigation into the illegal distribution of heroin and cocaine.

During the afternoon, FIU Detectives conducting surveillance observed suspected drug transactions in that area with Victor Tanan, Alfonso Ponce, Angel Caraballo, Guillermo Ortiz-Sanchez and Brenda Sanchez-Rojas were working together.

Detectives then converged on the area and detained the five suspects. During a search of the suspects and the immediate area where Detectives observed suspected drug activity, Detectives recovered 82 pills of Methadone Hydrochloride, 45 capsules of cocaine, 49 bags of heroin and $997 in cash. The five suspects were placed under arrest. All five suspects have prior drug distribution convictions.

Arrested on August 27th

32-year-old Jonathan Fonseca-Tirado of Springfield is charged with:

Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug

35-year-old Merkin Andrade of Springfield is charged with:

Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug

39-year-old Rene Soto of Springfield is charged with:

Possession of a Class A Drug

Arrested on August 28th

37-year-old Alfonso Ponce of Springfield is charged with:

Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug - Subsequent Offense
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug - Subsequent Offense
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug - Subsequent Offense

60-year-old Victor Tanan of Springfield is charged with:

Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug - Subsequent Offense
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug - Subsequent Offense
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug - Subsequent Offense

57-year-old Angel Caraballo of Springfield is charged with:

Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug - Subsequent Offense
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug - Subsequent Offense
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug - Subsequent Offense

53-year-old Guillermo Ortiz-Sanchez of Springfield is charged with:

Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug - Subsequent Offense
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug - Subsequent Offense
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug - Subsequent Offense

52-year-old Brenda Sanchez-Rojas of Springfield is charged with:

Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug - Subsequent Offense
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug - Subsequent Offense
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug - Subsequent Offense