Arrest made for drug overdose

News Release, June 30, 2023

A Salem man has been arrested and charged with supplying the drugs that caused a fatal overdose, Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker, Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller, Peabody Police Chief Thomas Griffin and Lynn Police Chief Chris Reddy announced.

Ericson Almonte-Rojas, 30, was arrested in Lynn Thursday based on witness testimony and phone records belonging to the person who overdosed in Salem earlier this month.

Almonte-Rojas was arrested after allegedly responding to a phone related to the case and being caught not only with 25 grams of suspected fentanyl but a 9mm semi-automatic pistol – with seven rounds of ammunition – that had been reported stolen from Salem in 2020.

Almonte-Rojas was charged with trafficking a Class A substance (fentanyl) in excess of 10 grams, unlicensed possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm during a felony, receiving stolen property and possessing illegal ammunition.

He was booked at the Massachusetts State Police Barracks in Danvers and held on $15,000 bail. His arraignment is pending.

“This should send a message to anyone dealing in fentanyl that you will face the consequences,” Tucker said.

The arrest was the result of a joint effort between the Essex County District Attorney’s Office State Police Detective Unit, the Salem, Peabody and Lynn Police Departments, and the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit.