BREAKING: Graciela Paulino, a 28-year-old Lowell woman previously convicted in a fatal road-rage shooting, was arrested again on drug and ammunition charges in Tewksbury on October 16, 2023. This latest incident raises significant concerns about her ongoing legal troubles and adherence to probation terms.
Paulino was apprehended at the Motel 6 on Main Street following an ongoing narcotics investigation led by the Tewksbury Police. Authorities reported that detectives observed a woman, known to be a drug user, enter Paulino’s vehicle. When confronted, Paulino denied any connection, but police recovered drugs from the woman and subsequently found substantial evidence in her vehicle.
During the search, officers uncovered $3,145 in cash, two mobile phones, 45 loose rounds of .22-caliber ammunition, 18.9 grams of marijuana, and one gram of crack cocaine. Paulino now faces serious charges, including distribution of a Class B drug and possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card.
Paulino’s previous conviction in 2019 for voluntary manslaughter stemmed from the February 2018 shooting of Marc Devoe, a construction worker who was fatally shot during a confrontation near the Gallagher Transit Terminal. At her sentencing, she expressed remorse, stating, “I feel remorse about what occurred that day.” Despite a request from the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office for an 18-20 year sentence, Paulino received a reduced sentence of 9.5 years.
Current documents indicate that she was under probation until July 2029 for her manslaughter conviction, raising questions about her future following this latest arrest. A bail hearing is set for October 18, 2023, where Judge John Coffey set her bail at $250 cash or $2,500 surety.
This incident marks not the first time Paulino has faced legal issues since her release. In December 2022, she was arrested for stealing a winning Keno ticket from a customer, which led to an extension of her probation.
With a final probation surrender hearing scheduled for December 17, 2023, the court will evaluate whether she violated probation terms, potentially leading to the reinstatement of her original sentence. The outcome could have serious implications for her future.
As this story develops, the community is left wondering about the safety implications and the judicial decisions surrounding Paulino’s repeated legal challenges. Stay tuned for updates on this urgent situation.
For more real-time updates, follow Aaron Curtis on X @aselahcurtis or on Bluesky @aaronscurtis.bsky.social.
