Suspect arrested in gun, drug case inside Mass. shelter hadn't applied for housing, state says
An undocumented immigrant arrested in connection with high-powered weapons and $1 million worth of fentanyl in a state emergency shelter had never applied for housing, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said Tuesday.
Leonardo Andujar Sanchez, 28, was arrested after a search warrant was served on Dec. 27 at a Quality Inn hotel room, which serves as a state homeless shelter. Officials said they found an assault rifle, magazines and 10 pounds of fentanyl.
"He's not part of the (emergency assistance) program," Healey said. "He was in that shelter, though."
Sanchez was there with a family unit that was placed into the shelter on Oct. 15, the administration clarified.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Sanchez remains in state custody. The agency says he arrived in the country unlawfully but is unsure where or when.
Court paperwork pertaining to the case was impounded.
Healey has since ordered an inspection of all state shelter units, beginning with the Revere hotel, and requested another $425 million from a reserve account to keep the maxed-out emergency assistance shelter program running for the next six months.
Funding for the system is currently expected to run out at the end of the month.
The Massachusetts GOP says lawmakers should put more reforms in place before pouring in any additional money.
"These shelters are certainly not safe for our communities, and there needs to be fundamental reforms," said GOP Chair Amy Carnivale.
Healey said her administration has already made major reforms, including plans to close hotel shelters by the end of the year.
"We've prioritized Massachusetts families," she said. "Massachusetts is not a sanctuary state. You cannot come to Massachusetts and expect housing."
