ICE Boston case centers on former minor-league baseball player charged with felony fentanyl trafficking
What authorities say happened
Federal immigration authorities in Boston have taken custody of a former professional baseball player who is facing a felony fentanyl trafficking case tied to an undercover drug investigation in the city. The defendant, Bryan Mejia, 31, of Mattapan, has been charged in Massachusetts court with trafficking fentanyl over 10 grams.
The criminal case stems from an allegation that Mejia sold fentanyl to an undercover Boston police officer on Oct. 19, 2025. Prosecutors have described Mejia in court records as a “runner” connected to a drug trafficking organization. Mejia pleaded not guilty at arraignment in the Roxbury division of Boston Municipal Court and was released on personal recognizance. A return date was set for Dec. 1, 2025 for further proceedings related to bail and appointment of counsel.
Who is involved
Mejia previously played professional baseball in the Minor League system, including time with the Fredericksburg Nationals in Virginia. More recently, he worked as a youth baseball coach at the Boston Athletic Academy in Hyde Park, a local organization that provides baseball training and programming for young athletes.
Mejia has not been convicted. The trafficking charge remains an allegation that will be tested through court proceedings.
Related enforcement actions in Boston
The case unfolded against a broader backdrop of fentanyl enforcement activity in Boston. In a separate investigation focused on suspected drug activity in the Southwest Corridor area, Boston police reported seizing more than two kilograms of fentanyl and arresting multiple defendants. Mejia was among those charged in that operation with Class A trafficking, alongside others arrested after searches at locations in Dorchester, Mattapan, and Roxbury. Police also reported recovering ammunition, scales, packaging materials, and cash during that enforcement action.
What the charge means in Massachusetts
Under Massachusetts law, trafficking fentanyl above the 10-gram threshold is treated as a felony and can carry significant prison exposure, including a mandatory minimum sentence. The specific penalty range depends on the charged weight bracket and the outcome of the case.
What happens next
The state court case will proceed through hearings that typically address bail conditions, evidence issues, and scheduling for potential motions and trial or plea negotiations.
Because ICE has become involved, separate immigration proceedings may also be initiated or continued, depending on the individual’s status and any prior history in the immigration system.
The defendant retains the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty in court.
The coming court dates are expected to clarify the prosecution’s evidence and the defense response, including any disputes over the alleged undercover transaction and the claimed role within a trafficking organization.