Crime

Man arrested at Revere emergency shelter after police report finding assault rifle, fentanyl

Leonardo Andujar Sanchez is facing a slew of charges after police allegedly found an assault rifle and about 10 pounds of fentanyl at the Revere shelter.

The Quality Inn in Revere pictured in 2021. Jessica Rinaldi/Boston Globe Staff, File

January 3, 2025

2 minutes to read

A Dominican national was arrested on gun and drug charges last week after he allegedly kept an assault rifle and pounds of fentanyl at a Revere hotel operating as a state-run emergency shelter, officials said.

Leonardo Andujar Sanchez, 28, was arrested Dec. 27 following an investigation into a hotel room at the Quality Inn on Morris Street, the Revere Police Department said in a news release.

“The investigation resulted in patrol officers discovering a large capacity .556 caliber assault rifle,” police said, adding that a later search warrant for the premises turned up about 10 pounds of fentanyl with an estimated street value of more than $1 million.

Officers also allegedly found three large capacity rifle magazines, one of which was loaded.

“This individual endangered occupants of the hotel, on-site workers, public safety personnel and the community at large,” Revere Police Chief David J. Callahan said in a statement. “His arrest underscores our commitment to work tirelessly to protect our community from those dealing deadly Fentanyl and possessing illegal firearms.”

Arrest Leads to Seizure of an AR-15 Assault Rifle & Fentanyl Worth Over a Million Dollars!

Officers arrested Leonardo Andujar Sanchez 28. C.I.D, S.I.U & @SheriffSuffolk recovered 10lbs of Fentanyl estimated street value over $1 milllion & a loaded AR-15 with ammo.@Revere311 pic.twitter.com/5nVZkfWjNv
— Revere Police (@reverepolice) January 3, 2025

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, which operates the state’s Emergency Family Shelter (EA) program, said it has “zero tolerance” for criminal activity in shelters.

“We took immediate action to terminate this individual from the EA system, and we confirmed with federal immigration officials that they have lodged a detainer,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “We’re grateful to the Revere Police Department and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office for their swift response.”

Sanchez was arraigned in Chelsea District Court Monday on a fentanyl trafficking charge, as well as 10 firearm offenses. His lawyer was not immediately available for comment Friday.

Judge Jane Prince ordered Sanchez held without bail following a dangerousness hearing Thursday, noting he holds a Dominican passport and has ties to New York.

“Given the potential for harm due to the lethality and amount of fentanyl together with the AR-15 and the amount of ammunition together with his lack of ties to the community, there are no conditions that would ensure the safety of the community,” Prince wrote in her order for pretrial detention.

Sanchez is due back in court for a probable cause hearing Feb. 3.

In a statement, Revere Mayor Patrick M. Keefe Jr. accused Sanchez of “preying upon vulnerable people while threatening the safety and wellbeing of our entire community.”

“We are proud of the tireless work of our officers to keep illegal guns and drugs off our streets and build trust in our neighborhoods,” Keefe added. “This arrest is the result of solid police work and cross-agency collaboration. It’s a reflection of the City of Revere’s steadfast commitment to community policing and to protect all of our residents.”