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Russell Defreitas, 55, also known as “Merc,” was found guilty of operating as a major drug trafficker and 91 other charges by a Suffolk County jury on Tuesday, March 11.
It came two years after he was arrested by Suffolk County Police following an eight-month investigation into the fatal overdoses of a man and woman at a Holbrook motel he had rented, according to the district attorney’s office.
Instead of calling for help, Defreitas instructed his associates not to call 911, removed drugs and evidence from the scene, and then went to a nearby Wendy’s to eat, prosecutors said. Hours later, when it was too late, he finally allowed someone to call for medical assistance.
After his arrest, search warrants at Defreitas’ hotel room, trailer in Holbrook, and his drug trafficking vehicle turned up a significant stash of narcotics and weapons, including cocaine, fentanyl, and two loaded guns.
Police also found drug packaging materials, cutting agents, stolen hotel room key cards, and bank cards belonging to two overdose victims.
Defreitas represented himself at trial. In court Tuesday, Suffolk County jurors also convicted him of multiple counts of drug sales and possession, conspiracy, perjury, and weapons charges. He faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced next month.
“This defendant distributed deadly fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine with complete disregard for human life, directly causing the tragic deaths of two victims,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.
“While no verdict can bring back those we’ve lost, we hope this conviction provides some measure of closure to the family and friends who lost loved ones.”
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