A 25-year-old New Bedford man arrested earlier this month on cocaine trafficking and domestic assault charges while already out on bail was found dangerous by a New Bedford District Court judge and ordered held without bail for up to 120 days, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Jose Rivera de Leon was the subject of a district court dangerousness and bail revocation hearing on June 23 after being arrested by New Bedford Police on June 15.  He is charged with trafficking cocaine in excess of 200 grams and assault and battery on a family or household member.

On June 15, New Bedford Police developed information that the defendant was in the area of Pleasant and Hazard Street. Police say they observed the defendant leave an apartment on Nelson Street and drive to an apartment on Pleasant Street. A half-hour later, the defendant was allegedly seen leaving the apartment and getting into a vehicle operated by Jonathan Garcia, 20, of New Bedford.

Police pulled the vehicle over and placed de Leon under arrest on the active domestic assault warrant. During the booking process, police say they located nine bags of cocaine weighing 24 grams and found more than $2,000 in cash in de Leon's pants.

Police then searched the Pleasant Street apartment and say they seized 270 grams of cocaine, scales, packaging materials, cutting agents, more than $6,000 in cash, and other items associated with drug trafficking.

Garcia, also charged with trafficking in excess of 200 grams of cocaine, was the subject of a dangerousness hearing on June 19 where he was also found dangerous and held without bail for up to 120 days.

In the domestic violence case, De Leon is accused of punching his girlfriend in the face multiple times, causing bruising and swelling. At the time of that June 15 arrest, De Leon was already out on bail from two other pending cases involving cocaine distribution and assault and battery.  His bail was revoked after the June 23 court hearings.

"Despite being out on bail for other criminal charges, defendant de Leon is charged with drug trafficking, domestic assault and was in possession of a large amount of money. He is clearly a danger and belongs off the streets to protect society," District Attorney Quinn said.

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