Former Watertown Police Officer Faces Federal Charges in a Drug Case

The U.S. Department of Justice indicted a former Watertown Police officer on charges of conspiring with a drug dealer to obstruct an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, according to documents that federal officials partially unsealed on May 24 charging 18 people with drug, extortion and money laundering offenses.

Roberto Velasquez-Johnson, also known as George Diamond, allegedly conspired with, along with eight other men. He lives in Arlington, according to Watertown Police Chief Edward Deveau.

According to the Department of Justice, Velasquez-Johnson allegedly warned Madarati about the investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to the indictment.

"During a telephone call on or about September 27, 2010, Roberto Velazquez-Johnson, a.k.a. George Diamond, told Safwan Madarati, a.k.a. Sammy, that someone was making him out to be the biggest 'mule' in Massachusetts, mentioned 'ICE,' and told Madarati that someone was talking whom Velazquez-Johnson referred to as 'rats,'" according to court documents released by federal officials.

On April 20, Velasquez-Johnson also allegedly provided the addresses of local law enforcement officers so that Madarati could intimidate them. Federal agents observed Madarati and Karapet Dzhanikyan, 31 of Watertown "casing the home residences of these law enforcement officers in an apparent attempt to 'send a message,' according to Department of Justice press release. Both were arrested later that day.

When interviewed by a U.S. Drug Enforcement agent and an FBI agent, Velasquez-Johnson denied speaking with Madarati for about a week before April 20, according to the indictment.

Velasquez-Johnson and Madarati face the charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States, which could send him to prison for up to five years and pay a fine of up to $250,000. Velasquez-Johnson also faces a charge of making a false statement to federal investigators, which comes with a possible penalty of up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.

Watertown's Deveau said the incident came after Velasquez worked for the department.  on Nov. 29, 2010 on unrelated charges. He allegedly improperly served an restraining order and then lied about it.

"He was a former employee, terminated for a whole other reason. These allegations against him are since he left the Watertown Police Department," Deveau said. "We are very saddened to see this happen. The men and women of the Watertown Police Department work very hard to establish the good reputation they have in the community."

Three men, Madarati, Hagop Sarkissian, 46, of Weston, and Ronald Martinez face charges linked to a March 17 incident where they allegedly were involved in the extortion of a Newton jewelry store. Deveau confirmed that the incident refered to by Federal officials was the one where .

Madarati, Dzhanikyan, and Sanusie Mo Kabba, 26 of Stoughton, allegedly extorted a Watertown man over a drug debt, the release said.

Madarati, Sarkissian, Kabba and Martinez face charges of conspiracy to collect debt by extortionate means, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Ten men face charges of charged with conspiracy to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, Oxycodone and cocaine, which has a penalty of up to a life in prison and a fine of up to $4 million.:

Madarati; Vartan A. Soukiasian, 35 of Watertown; Sarkissian; Antranic Idanjian, 45, Waltham; Robert Johnson, 21, Stoneham; Kabba; Jeffrey Spinks, 53, Bolyston; Dzhanikyan; Victor Loukas, 43, Watertown; and Manuel Kkandjian, 36, Los Angeles.

Madarati and Soukiasian face charges of maintaining a place for drug purposes. If convicted of the charges, they face up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $500,000.

Madarati also faces a charge of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments
and faces up to 20 years in prison and fine of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the laundered funds if convicted.