Troopers Arrest Violent Taunton Man Linked to Multi-City Feud

BROCKTON — State Police have arrested a man linked to violent activity between feuding groups in Brockton, Taunton, and Boston.

Massachusetts State Police say the arrest ultimately uncovered two guns and illegal narcotics and was the result of a coordinated effort between MSP, Brockton Police, and the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office through the Project Safe Neighborhood program.

Troopers from the MSP Gang Unit were notified of the issuance of a warrant for probation violations for 23-year-old Samael Mathieu, of Taunton.

After several hours of surveillance at a specific location in Taunton, Gang Unit Troopers Wednesday afternoon observed Mathieu depart in a vehicle driven by another person. When the vehicle stopped at a gas station, Troopers approached Mathieu, placed him under arrest, and located a large amount of narcotics and cash on his person.

Troopers then executed a search warrant at Mathieu’s apartment and located and seized two loaded 9mm handguns, three magazines (two of them high-capacity); ammunition; approximately 32 grams of suspected fentanyl; 40 oxycodone pills; 26 suboxone strips; 65 grams of marijuana; nearly $2,100; and drug paraphernalia such as scales, cutting agents, and packaging materials. A Smith & Wesson 9mm was recovered.

Mathieu was booked at the State Police-Middleboro barracks on the following charges:

Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, subsequent offense (2 counts);

Unlawful Possession of a Feeding Device (2 counts);

Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number;

Unlawful Possession of Ammunition;

Trafficking in Fentanyl (Class A Narcotic);

Possession of Oxycodone (Class B Narcotic) with Intent to Distribute;

Possession of Suboxone (Class B Narcotic) with Intent to Distribute:

Possession of Marijuana (Class D Narcotic) with Intent to Distribute; and

Warrant (firearm, ammunition, receiving stolen property, resisting arrest offenses).

Mathieu is held without bail on the warrant and expected to be in court for arraignment on Thursday.