Rochester man arrested for drug related charges

Dec 27, 2022

ROCHESTER — Rochester resident Michael Reyes, 39, was arrested on Thursday, Dec. 22  on drug and firearm charges after police conducted a search of his landscaping business in Rochester. 

Police recovered over 18 grams of cocaine, a firearm, and ammunition at the business, according to a press release from the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General. The Attorney General’s Office did not specify the name of Reyes’ business. 

According to the press release, Reyes has been charged with one count of trafficking cocaine, possession of a firearm without a license, two counts of subsequent offense, and possession of a Class B controlled substance. Reyes could face up to 47 years in prison for the crimes.

Reyes was arrested by the Plymouth Police Department along with Shawn Panepinto, 26, of Wareham, and Jakeem Finley, 25, of Brockton. 

A fourth individual has yet to be arraigned but was charged in connection with the investigation. 

According to the press release the three arrests are the result of a months-long joint investigation by the Attorney General’s New England Fentanyl Strike Force, the Plymouth Police Department, and the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit.

The overall investigation recovered more than 1.6 kilograms of fentanyl, 1.4 kilograms of cocaine, a firearm and ammunition.

According to the press release, Reyes has been charged as a Level III Armed Career Criminal, meaning that he could face an additional 15 to 20 years in prison on top of his other charges 

His bail was set at $200,000 and he is set to appear in court for a probable cause hearing on Feb. 3.