For Immediate Release - April 21, 2011

On Sunday April 17, 2011 Trooper Jodi Gerardi was patrolling Route 95 southbound in Wakefield when her attention was drawn to a 1999 Honda Accord in the breakdown lane. She observed the vehicle to have fresh damage and the operator walking away from the car.

The driver identified himself as Willie Rosa and provided identification reflecting the same information. The Trooper was not convinced. She eventually arrested him for operating a motor vehicle without a license and providing false motor vehicle documents. He was transported to the State Police Barracks in Danvers.

The Trooper attempted to fingerprint the suspect at the barracks, but discovered his fingerprints were purposefully altered. He was then sent to the Middleton House of Correction. On Monday, Troopers assigned to the Major Crime Unit went to the House of Correction. Despite the suspect's altered fingerprints, the Trooper was still able to recover usable prints. He was identified as a former inmate named LORENZO ECHEVACIA, 39, of Brockton.

The Troopers sent the fingerprints to the FBI where 10 warrants on the suspect were located. They also found 12 aliases for this individual. The majority of the warrants were for felonies. They included several distribution of Class A cases and a 10-year-old rape and kidnapping case from Saugus. It was also discovered that he was deported in 2004 and had entered the country illegally.

The defendant was arraigned Tuesday in Malden District Court on the original motor vehicle charges and then transported to Middlesex Superior Court to answer for the outstanding warrants. The dedication of Trooper Gerardi with the assistance of the Essex Sheriff's Department and the Massachusetts State Police Major Crime Unit has removed a dangerous felon from the streets of the Commonwealth.

No further information is available at this time. Please do not call the barracks directly

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