Malden Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Cocaine

BOSTON - A Malden man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Worcester to conspiring to distribute cocaine.

Christhian Castillo, 33, pleaded guilty on Aug. 27, 2026 to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 or more grams of cocaine and distribution of 500 or more grams of cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for Dec. 1, 2026. Castillo was indicted in May 2025, along with his alleged co-conspirator Erick Sandoval-Perez.

Castillo and allegedly Sandoval-Perez, worked together to sell cocaine on several occasions to an undercover law enforcement officer. On Feb. 12, 2025, Sandoval-Perez allegedly arranged to sell a kilogram of cocaine to an undercover. Castillo was arrested when he allegedly handed the kilogram of cocaine to the undercover.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 or more grams of cocaine, and the charge of distribution of 500 or more grams of cocaine, both carry a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Sandoval-Perez is scheduled to plead guilty on Oct. 14, 2026.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jarod A. Forget Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Chief Ryan Malatos of the Leominster Police Department; and Chief Brian W. Coyne of the Clinton Police Department made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Malden Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan O'Shea of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.