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Russell Defreitas

Russell Defreitas was Convicted after a Jury Trial of 92 Counts

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on April 29 that Russell Defreitas, 55, of Holbrook, also known as “Merc,” was sentenced to 53 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of Operating as a Major Drug Trafficker, and 91 other charges, for his role in a large-scale cocaine and fentanyl trafficking operation in Suffolk County which caused two fentanyl overdose deaths.

“Today’s sentencing of this major trafficker, while significant, highlights the urgent need for stronger legislation. The passage of Chelsey’s Law in New York State would give prosecutors additional tools to hold dealers accountable when their products cause death,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This defendant’s actions directly led to two overdose fatalities, yet our current laws don’t allow us to charge these preventable deaths as the homicides that they are. Chelsey’s Law would ensure that those who profit from dealing deadly substances face consequences proportionate to the devastation they cause in our communities.”

The evidence at trial established that, in September 2022, law enforcement responded to a fatal overdose in Holbrook. Members of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office East End Drug Task Force endeavored to investigate the circumstances surrounding the overdose.

Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement learned that Defreitas was a member of a large-scale organization in Suffolk County that was conspiring to sell substantial amounts of crack cocaine and fentanyl, using loaded firearms to protect their narcotics empire.

On March 9, 2023, a male and female were in a hotel room rented by Defreitas. When the female overdosed in the hotel room, Defreitas directed his associates not to call 911. Defreitas removed drugs and other evidence from the hotel room and then went to eat at a nearby Wendy’s. Hours later, Defreitas allowed one of his associates to call 911. By that time, both the female and male had fatally overdosed in the hotel room.

Defreitas was arrested on March 11, 2023, while staying in another hotel. That same day, members of law enforcement executed search warrants at Defreitas’ hotel room, his trailer in Holbrook, and his vehicle that was used for drug trafficking. During those searches, law enforcement recovered cocaine, fentanyl, two loaded firearms, cutting agents, drug packaging materials, scales used to weigh narcotics, and numerous hotel room key cards. Additionally, at the time of his arrest, Defreitas was found to be in possession of bank cards in the names of two of his overdose victims.

On May 18, 2023, Defreitas testified at a court proceeding on his own behalf. The evidence at trial showed that during that proceeding, he repeatedly lied under oath about his drug dealing activity.

On March 11, 2025, exactly two years after Defreitas was arrested, he was convicted of the following 92 counts, after a jury trial that was conducted before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony Senft:

  •   One count of Operating as a Major Drug Trafficker, a Class A-I felony;
  •   Eight counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, Class A-Ifelonies;
  •   10 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, Class A-IIfelonies;
  •   One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a ClassA-II felony;
  •   One count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony;
  •   Six counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class Bfelonies;
  •   45 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class Bfelonies;
  •   Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent felonies;
  •   Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, Class D violent felonies;
  •   One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a Class D felony;
  •   Three counts of Perjury in the First Degree, a Class D felony;
  •   One count of Tampering with Physical Evidence, a Class E felony;
  •   Five counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, ClassA misdemeanors; and
  •   Six counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, Class Amisdemeanors.
    On April 29, 2025, Defrietas was sentenced to 53 years in prison. He represented himself.

    This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Jacob T. Kubetz and Raquel G. Tisi of the Narcotics Bureau, with assistance from Paralegal Lisa Zimmerman, Research Analyst Brooke Baade, and Investigative Auditor Carlos Gutama, of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. The investigation was conducted by Detective Investigator William Warren of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office’s East End Task Force.

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Russell Defreitas

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on March 14 that Russell Defreitas, 55, of Holbrook, also known as “Merc,” was found guilty after a jury trial of Operating as a Major Drug Trafficker, and 91 other charges, for his role in a large- scale cocaine and fentanyl trafficking operation in Suffolk County which caused two fentanyl overdose deaths.

“This defendant distributed deadly fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine with complete disregard for human life, directly causing the tragic deaths of two victims,” said District Attorney Tierney. “While no verdict can bring back those whom we’ve lost, we hope this conviction provides some measure of closure to the family and friends who lost loved ones. Cases like this are exactly why the New York Legislature must pass Chelsey’s Law.”

In September 2022, law enforcement responded to a fatal overdose in Holbrook. Members of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office East End Drug Task Force endeavored in an eight- month long investigation into the circumstances surrounding the overdose and during that time learned that Defreitas was a member of a large-scale organization in Suffolk County that was conspiring to sell large amounts of crack cocaine and potent fentanyl, and using loaded firearms to protect their drug contraband.

On March 9, 2023, a male and female were in a hotel room rented by Defreitas. When the female overdosed in the hotel room, Defreitas directed his associates not to call 911. Defreitas removed drugs and other evidence from the hotel room and then went to eat at a nearby Wendy’s. Hours later, Defreitas allowed one of his associates to call 911. At that point, both the female and male had fatally overdosed in the hotel room.

Defreitas was arrested on March 11, 2023, while staying in another hotel. That same day, members of law enforcement executed search warrants at Defreitas’ hotel room, his trailer in Holbrook, and his vehicle that was used for drug trafficking. During those searches, law enforcement recovered cocaine, fentanyl, two loaded firearms, cutting agents, drug packaging materials, scales used to weigh narcotics, and numerous hotel room key cards. Additionally, at the time of his arrest, Defreitas had bank cards in the names of two of the overdose victims in his possession.

On May 18, 2023, Defreitas testified at a court proceeding on his own behalf. The evidence at trial showed that during that proceeding, he repeatedly lied under oath about his drug dealing activity.

On March 11, 2025, exactly two years after Defreitas was arrested, he was convicted of the following 92 counts, after a jury trial heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony Senft:

  • One count of Operating as a Major Drug Trafficker, a Class A-I felony;
  • Eight counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, Class A-I

    felonies;

  • 10 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, Class A-II

    felonies;

  • One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class

    A-II felony;

  • One count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony;
  • Six counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B

    felonies;

  •  45 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B felonies;
  • Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent felonies;
  • Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, Class D violent felonies;
  • One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a Class D felony;
  • Three counts of Perjury in the First Degree, a Class D felony;
  • One count of Tampering with Physical Evidence, a Class E felony;
  • Five counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, Class A misdemeanors; and
  • Six counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, Class A misdemeanors.

    Defreitas is due back in court for sentencing on April 14, 2025, and faces up to life in prison. He represented himself throughout the trial.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Jacob T. Kubetz and Raquel G. Tisi of the Narcotics Bureau, with assistance from Paralegal Lisa Zimmerman, Research Analyst Brooke Baade, and Investigative Auditor Carlos Gutama, of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. The investigation was conducted by Detective Investigator William Warren of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office’s East End Task Force.

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Huntington Station residents Adrian Bonilla, Jennifer Perez Cordero and Neftali Camacho Hernandez were arraigned Nov. 14 for allegedly operating a cocaine distribution ring. Photos from SCPD

Three Huntington Station residents face a total of 47 charges for allegedly operating a cocaine distribution ring following an 18-month investigation conducted by Suffolk County’s District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors said they found the trio had stored a kilogram of cocaine next to the bassinet of a 1-month-old baby.

Suffolk County law enforcement officers  arrested Adrian Bonilla, 40; Neftali Camacho Hernandez, 27; and Jennifer Perez Cordero, 28. They were arraigned in Suffolk County Supreme Court Nov. 14 for allegedly operating and conspiracy to operate an illegal drug trafficking ring, according Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini (D).

“This indictment should serve as a warning to drug dealers who operate in Suffolk County that law enforcement is coming for you.”

— Tim Sini

“This indictment should serve as a warning to drug dealers who operate in Suffolk County that law enforcement is coming for you,” Sini said in a statement. “These are serious charges; two of these defendants are facing up to life in prison if convicted. We will continue to aggressively target, arrest and prosecute anyone trafficking this poison into our communities.”

The district attorney’s investigation began in April 2017, under the tenure of Thomas Spota (D), where law enforcement officials utilized electronic and physical surveillance of the three suspects.

From April 2017 until this month, law enforcement officials said Bonilla and Hernandez allegedly sold approximately one-third of a kilogram of cocaine, or 650 individual doses of the drug each month. They allegedly charged $50 per one-half gram bag, resulting in proceeds of roughly $32,500 per month. Law enforcement officers claim to have made 19 covert purchases of cocaine from Hernandez during their investigation.

Police said Cordero was allegedly involved in helping package and distribute the narcotics in conjunction with Bonilla and Hernandez, both of whom are also accused of being members of the Latin Kings street gang.

On Nov. 2, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at three Huntington Station locations associated with suspects. The bust resulted in the seizure of 1 kilogram of cocaine found concealed underneath a bed next to a baby’s bassinet, 18 grams of crack cocaine, approximately $66,207 in cash, digital scales and packaging materials, according to court records.

“These individuals were making a living off selling cocaine, two of them even put their own child at risk,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart said in a statement. “These arrests have concluded a nearly two-year investigation into drug sales in Huntington Station. This collaborative effort is another
example of the results that can be achieved when agencies work together.”

“These individuals were making a living off selling cocaine, two of them even put their own child at risk.” 

— Geraldine Hart

Bonilla’s numerous charges include operating as a major trafficker, first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree conspiracy, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a child. If convicted of the top count, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. Bonilla was held in lieu of $2 million cash or $4 million bond.

Hernandez has been indicted on numerous felonies including conspiracy in the second degree, and 19 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison. Hernandez was held in lieu of $1 million cash or $3 million bond.

Cordero was arrested on charges including first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a child. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. Cordero was held on $250,000 cash or $500,000 bond.

The three defendants are all scheduled to be back in Suffolk County Supreme Court Dec. 12.

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