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Chelsea Gun Trafficker Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison
BOSTON – Melbi Ovidio Ortez, a 41-year-old Salvadoran national unlawfully residing in Chelsea, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for making multiple illegal firearms sales.
On February 27, 2026, Ortez pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
In June 2025, Ortez was arrested and charged with selling firearms and controlled substances to gang members. The investigation revealed that Ortez sold a Glock 9mm caliber pistol; a Sturm and Ruger .22 caliber revolver; a Glock .40 caliber pistol; a Colt .380 caliber pistol; magazines; and over 100 rounds of ammunition behind his Chelsea residence.
The serial numbers on both the Glock 9mm pistol and the Colt .380 pistol had been defaced. The Glock 9mm pistol had been purchased only 20 days earlier from a licensed firearms dealer in New Hampshire.
Ortez also sold cocaine two times during that same period. He was identified as an 18th Street Gang associate who supplied firearms and controlled substances to gang members.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement.
Valuable assistance was provided by the Boston, Chelsea, Everett, Falmouth, Lynn, Medford, Nantucket and Revere Police Departments; Massachusetts State Police; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Fraud Detection and National Security Unit; Massachusetts Department of Correction; and the Suffolk County and Middlesex County District Attorney’s Offices.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak, III of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.
The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. Ortez was identified as an 18th Street Gang associate who supplied firearms and controlled substances to gang members.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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