West Springfield man convicted for firearms, drug trafficking from a 2023 stop in Pelham

NORTHAMPTON — A 38-year-old West Springfield man was convicted by a Hampshire Superior Court jury on multiple firearms and drug trafficking charges related to a 2023 traffic stop in Pelham that uncovered a loaded firearm and significant quantities of cocaine and fentanyl, according to the Northwestern district attorney’s office.

After about four hours of deliberation Wednesday, the jury found Michael Ruiz guilty on felony counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful possession of a high-capacity firearm, unlawful possession of a high-capacity firearm during the commission of a felony, trafficking in 200 or more grams of cocaine and trafficking in 10 or more grams of fentanyl.

Ruiz had been indicted on those charges in May 2024, as well as a charge of unlawful possession of a loaded firearm, which was dismissed by the court.

As a result of the convictions, Ruiz faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years on a charge of cocaine trafficking and could also face a mandatory minimum sentence of up to 15 years on a firearm charge, due to prior criminal history.

Ruiz was originally stopped on Nov. 28, 2023 by a Massachusetts State Police trooper while driving with a suspended license northbound on Route 202 in Pelham.

During an inventory search of the vehicle, the trooper located a locked backpack on the rear floor of the car, partially tucked underneath the front passenger seat. Upon opening the backpack, police discovered a loaded large-capacity semiautomatic .40 caliber Glock firearm, approximately 219 grams of cocaine, 450 bags of fentanyl totaling 12.52 grams and a digital scale.

Judge Jeffrey Trapani presided over the trial. First Assistant District Attorney Steven E. Gagne represented the commonwealth and Attorney Joe Smith of Springfield represented Ruiz. The trial started Jan. 15, with closing arguments Wednesday, before the jury deliberations.

Ruiz has prior convictions stretching back to 2004 for assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of heroin and cocaine with intent to distribute, assault and battery and voluntary manslaughter, court records state.

Sentencing will be scheduled for a later date.

The post West Springfield man convicted for firearms, drug trafficking from a 2023 stop in Pelham appeared first on Daily Hampshire Gazette.