Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Westford Chief of Police Thomas McEnaney have announced the arraignment of Leonard Hester, Jr., 53 of Westford on charges of trafficking cocaine over 100 grams, conspiracy to violate the drug laws, possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance, possession of a Class D substance, possession of a Class B substance and possession of a firearm without a license in connection with allegedly possessing large amounts of crack cocaine and cocaine estimated at about $16,800 street value, marijuana estimated at approximately $2,850 street value and packaging materials. The defendant was also allegedly in possession of two illegally owned handguns.
Leonard “Jay” Hester was arraigned June 29 in Ayer District Court following his arrest June 28 in Westford. Hester has been the subject of an ongoing investigation into a suspected cocaine distribution scheme in and around Westford since March 2019.
On Sunday, June 28, investigators arrested the defendant in connection with allegedly supplying narcotics to an ongoing and long-standing cocaine distribution scheme utilizing several bars in the Westford area and one or more street-level dealers or “runners” who sell cocaine and who obtain their supplies from him.
As a result of the investigation, on June 26, 2020, Westford Police obtained warrants to search the defendant’s Rose Lane home, a storage locker in Tyngsborough which he allegedly visits on a near-daily basis, and other locations allegedly connected to the scheme.
As a result of a two-day operation investigators seized approximately 178 grams of crack cocaine, 15 grams of cocaine, $45,000 in cash and drug packaging materials from the defendant’s home. More than 18 ounces of marijuana, additional drug packaging materials and two handguns were seized from the Tyngsborough storage locker. Approximately 19 grams of cocaine, 23 grams of marijuana and $850 cash were also located in the defendant’s vehicle. Investigators also seized cocaine packaged in a manner consistent for resale from a local bar known to be used as an alleged meeting spot for the defendant’s customers and individuals believed to be selling cocaine on his behalf.
Judge Margaret Guzman ordered the defendant held on $25,000 bail and set conditions that he stay away from locations connected to this scheme, surrender his passport, and not to possess any drugs, firearms or dangerous weapons. The next date in this case is July 28.
This is an open and ongoing investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Westford Police and Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office. The Drug Enforcement Administration assisted with this investigation. Police from Lowell, Littleton, Haverhill and Tyngsboro also assisted with the execution of the search warrants in connection with this investigation. The Prosecutors assigned to this case are Graham Van Epps and Gabrielle Lomanno.
