Illegal immigrant with $1M of drugs, guns had free blue state housing: officials

A Massachusetts state senator is raising concerns about the state’s emergency housing assistance program after an illegal immigrant was discovered with a significant amount of illegal substances and firearms in a state-subsidized hotel room. Leonardo Andujar Sanchez, a 28-year-old from the Dominican Republic, was arrested by Revere Police on Dec. 27 and charged with multiple criminal counts in Chelsea District Court, including possession of an AR-15 and approximately $1 million worth of fentanyl.
Sanchez was also charged in Massachusetts federal court for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and unlawful possession of a firearm. Authorities found five kilograms of suspected fentanyl, an AR-style assault rifle, ammunition, and other items commonly associated with drug trafficking in his hotel room at the Quality Inn in Revere. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement determined that Sanchez had entered the U.S. illegally.
The Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities revealed that Sanchez and his family had been residing at the Quality Inn since October 15 under the emergency assistance program. The office conducts regular warrant checks at their emergency assistance residences and has on-site security at hotels used for the program. Governor Maura Healey clarified that Sanchez had not applied for housing through the emergency assistance program.
State Sen. Ryan Fattman expressed concerns about how Sanchez was able to access the emergency shelter program while citizens in need were being turned away. Massachusetts is the only state to provide a “Right to Shelter” for homeless families since 1983. Fattman highlighted the flawed vetting process that allowed dangerous criminal migrants to take advantage of the program.
Fattman emphasized the need for transparency in unsealing Sanchez’s court documents to understand the failures in the state’s vetting process. He called for accountability and a review of the program to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Massachusetts Republican Party previously accused Governor Healey of spending over $1 billion on the state’s migrant crisis, raising further questions about the management of taxpayer funds.
Governor Healey assured the public that all shelters are undergoing mandatory searches and background checks to ensure that criminals are not residing in the state’s shelter system. She expressed disappointment with the federal government’s handling of immigration and called for action to address the border issue. The Governor emphasized that Massachusetts is not a sanctuary state and is committed to ensuring the safety and security of its residents.
The situation involving Sanchez has sparked a debate about the state’s emergency housing assistance program and the need for stricter vetting processes to prevent criminals from exploiting the system. The state government is facing scrutiny for its handling of the migrant crisis and the allocation of taxpayer funds. Moving forward, there is a call for greater transparency and accountability to safeguard public resources and protect the well-being of Massachusetts residents.