A North Billerica man arrested in Hopkinton on April 21 on charges including cocaine trafficking and malicious destruction of property is being held without bail until a dangerousness hearing is held in Framingham District Court on Friday.
Christopher M. Saunders Jr., 30, allegedly crashed a stolen white BMW he was driving into a fence along Loop Road. He was apprehended by police without incident after attempting to flee from officers by running down Hayden Rowe Street.
A damaged GPS ankle monitor was found in the wooded area near the EMC Park entrance and Marathon School. In the vehicle, officers found a duffel bag containing a white powdery substance that appeared to be cocaine as well as associated drug paraphernalia and a contact list, according to police.
Saunders was arraigned in Framingham District Court on April 22 on 13 charges, according to court records.
Felony charges included:
- Assault with a dangerous weapon;
- Malicious destruction of property greater than $1,200;
- Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
Misdemeanor charges that carry a penalty of more than 100 days of incarceration if found guilty included:
- Negligent operation of a motor vehicle;
- Use of a motor vehicle without authority;
- Leaving the scene of property damage;
- Possession of a Class B drug;
Misdemeanor charges that carry a penalty of less than 100 days of incarceration if found guilty included:
- Failure to stop for police;
- Operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license;
- Unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle;
- Malicious destruction of property of $1,200 or less;
- Trafficking of cocaine (36 grams or more, less than 100 grams).
The charge of failure to stop or yield for police was deemed to be a civil motor vehicle infraction. Violators must pay the fine or appeal within 20 days to avoid license suspension or increased insurance premiums.
On April 22, a new attorney was assigned to the defendant, court records indicate. Because of the severity of the charges, Saunders was held without bail in the Middlesex Jail & House of Correction in Billerica pending a dangerousness hearing.
The dangerousness hearing originally was scheduled for this past Monday, but it was postponed until Friday at 10:30 a.m. Judge David W. Cunis will preside over the hearing.




















0 Comments