New Bedford Cousins Sentenced to Prison for Heroin Distribution

Bristol County District Attorney’s Office
Thomas M. Quinn III
District Attorney

Press Release
February 26, 2016

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced today that a pair of cousins from New Bedford who were distributing heroin in the city were convicted yesterday in Fall River Superior Court.

Travis Mendes, 34, and Paul Mendes, 50, were arrested last July during an undercover drug sting conducted by Massachusetts State Police Detectives and New Bedford Police Detectives. On July 23, 2015, a state trooper who was working undercover on a drug operation investigation with New Bedford Police approached Paul Mendes and asked for drugs. Paul Mendes told the undercover trooper that he would call his cousin, which he did in the presence of the trooper.

The cousin, later identified as Travis Mendes, called back, and Paul Mendes directed the trooper to a nearby store. Within a few minutes, Travis Mendes arrived on a scooter. Paul Mendes was given marked money, and went to meet with Travis Mendes. After a short conversation and a hand to hand exchange, Paul Mendes returned to the trooper’s car with a small bag of heroin. Travis Mendes left the scene, but was stopped by police a short distance away. During booking police found an additional 10 grams of heroin on Travis Mendes.

Travis Mendes, who has an extensive criminal record, was indicted on charges of distribution of a class A substance-subsequent offense and possession with intent to distribute heroin. Paul Mendes, who has a less extensive criminal record, was indicted on a charge of distribution of a class A substance-subsequent offense.

Judge Gregg Pasquale sentenced Travis Mendes to serve four to six years in state prison and placed him on probation for two years after his release from prison. Judge Pasquale sentenced Paul Mendes to serve one-and-a-half to three years in state prison.

The case was prosecuted Stephen Nadeau.

”This is an example of street level drug dealers who are contributing to the very serious opiate problem that is affecting our county and our country,” said District Attorney Quinn. ”I’m glad these defendant have been taken off the street with state prison sentences. They are both repeat offender.”
Contact:
Gregg Miliote
Director of Communications
508-997-0711
774-292-9576—-cell