Chief Ryan Columbus reports that the Tewksbury Police Department arrested and charged two individuals with several charges early Sunday morning. 

LUIS DE JESUS, AGE 39, of LAWRENCE, was arrested and charged with:

  • Operating Under the Influence of Liquor (Second Offense)
  • Trafficking in More Than 10 Grams of Fentanyl
  • Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class D Drug
  • Trafficking in More Than 36 Grams of Cocaine
  • Trafficking in More Than 18 Grams of Cocaine
  • Carrying a Dangerous Weapon (Two Counts) (Second Offense)
  • Possession of a Class B Drug
  • Possession of an Open Container of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle 

KEISHLA SOTO, AGE 34, of LOWELL, was arrested and charged with:

  • Assault and Battery on a Police Officer (Four Counts)
  • Resisting Arrest
  • Possession of a Class B Drug
  • Possession of Ammunition Without FID Card
  • Carrying a Firearm Without a License

On Sunday, Nov. 3, at about 2:07 a.m., Tewksbury Police responded to a call in the area of St. Mary’s Cemetery, 90 River Road. 

Officers arrived on scene and located a blue Honda Civic parked and running in the back of the cemetery. Officers observed two parties, a male and a female, outside of the vehicle. The parties both entered the vehicle as police attempted to make contact with the individuals. 

Officers approached the vehicle and observed beer bottles on the ground. While speaking to the male party in the driver’s seat, identified as DE JESUS, officers also smelled alcohol emanating from the vehicle. Officers also observed an open case of beer in the backseat of the vehicle.

A preliminary investigation, including a Field Sobriety Test, determined that DE JESUS had been operating under the influence. 

DE JESUS was arrested without incident. During a preliminary search of DE JESUS, officers recovered $3,130 in cash and brass knuckles. 

While officers were arresting DE JESUS, the female party, identified as SOTO, became confrontational and refused to comply with officers. Officers attempted to stop SOTO from re-entering the vehicle, at which point SOTO made physical contact with officers. 

While attempting to arrest SOTO, she continued being combative and resisting arrest before officers were able to successfully place her in handcuffs.

During the booking process, SOTO‘s behavior escalated and she engaged in physical contact with several officers. 

During a preliminary search of SOTO‘s belongings, officers recovered a handgun in her purse, as well as a loaded magazine on the ground. Further investigation determined neither SOTO nor DE JESUS had a license to carry a firearm. 

During a subsequent search of the Honda Civic, officers recovered a bag filled with a white powdery substance that was later determined to be 35.9 grams of cocaine and 22.8 grams of crack cocaine, as well as a bag containing a large amount of a brownish powder that was later determined to be about 125.9 grams of fentanyl.

Officers also recovered a push dagger, two black satchels containing large amounts of a green substance, later determined to be 5.77 ounces of marijuana, several empty small plastic bags, 31 strips of Suboxone, a medication used to treat opioid addiction, 27 pills determined to be Adderall, and fake money. 

DE JESUS and SOTO are scheduled to be arraigned in Lowell District Court on Monday, Nov. 4.