EXCLUSIVE 2016 HN FILE FOOTAGE: Hyannis man pleaded guilty to federal heroin trafficking and money laundering charges…
HN NOTE: In the following January 6, 2016 HN Body Cam Footage, you will see a rare encounter with Christian Chapman, believed to be one of the leaders of the now infamous Nauti-Block Street Gang… and who just recently pleaded guilty to federal heroin trafficking and money laundering charges…
As you will see in the footage, Chapman was inside a local department store buying a knife and numerous food items.
He recognized me right away as being involved with Hyannis News.
Chapman was outwardly friendly… in fact, he has always been friendly and respectful toward HN, admitting being a fan of HN coverage and humor. One could argue that Chapman was a “professional” in that respect, in that he held no animosity toward HN covering crime in the area.
I recall Chapman and I were talking about how it wasn’t personal between us (but I did urge him, as I always do with young men with notorious histories, to stay out of trouble), which allowed us both to shake hands before going in our separate directions.
You will also notice in the footage, that Chapman, seeing that I only had a couple of items, insisted I go ahead of him in the checkout line…
We ended our conversation, I recall, with me hoping I never had to film him at any future crime scenes… (One can always hope…)
… on that subject, Chapman and I also agreed.
[Press play… Select HD in the settings…]
The following is the actual March 22, 2017 US Justice Department press release:
CAPE COD MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO HEROIN TRAFFICKING AND MONEY LAUNDERING
BOSTON – A Hyannis man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Boston in connection with trafficking heroin and money laundering.
Christian Chapman, 27, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and money laundering. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for July 12, 2017.
In October 2015, law enforcement initiated an effort to address the rising opiate epidemic in Massachusetts and on Cape Cod in particular. According to court documents, Chapman and other co-conspirators were responsible for a significant quantity of the heroin distributed on Cape Cod. A wiretap investigation led to their arrests and indictment. Chapman obtained heroin from New Bedford, amongst other suppliers, and distributed the heroin to numerous drug dealers on Cape Cod. In total, Chapman agreed to accept responsibility for between 400 and 700 grams of heroin. In addition, Chapman rented a home in Hyannis at which he stored his narcotics. In order to pay the rent, Chapman wired money to the individual whose name was on the lease.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and no greater than 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. The charge of money laundering provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O’Keefe; and Barnstable Police Chief Paul MacDonald, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric S. Rosen of Weinreb’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
HN NOTES: Christian Chapman is also facing charges in Barnstable Superious Court related to the August 11th , 2016 shooting outside the Pufferbellies Nightclub, where it is alleged he shot a man in the leg before fleeing into a nearby wooded area wearing a towel over his head in an effort to hide his identity.
Also, according to investigators and various sources, Chapman is considered to be one of the leaders of the Nauti-Block Street Gang.
