UPDATE: Graciela Paulino, a 28-year-old Lowell woman previously convicted in a fatal road-rage shooting, has been arrested again, this time on serious drug and ammunition charges. The arrest occurred on December 11, 2023, at the Motel 6 in Tewksbury, following an ongoing narcotics investigation.
Paulino was convicted in 2019 for the shooting death of Marc Devoe, a 34-year-old construction worker, which took place near the Gallagher Transit Terminal in February 2018. She was sentenced to nine and a half years in prison but was serving probation until July 2029. Now, her latest arrest raises serious questions about her compliance with probation terms.
Tewksbury Police were conducting surveillance at the Motel 6 when they observed Paulino’s vehicle. Officers noted a woman, described as “a known drug user,” briefly entering the vehicle. Upon investigation, police discovered the woman in possession of crack cocaine. When officers approached Paulino’s vehicle, she denied knowing the woman but was swiftly taken into custody after drugs were found.
A search of Paulino’s vehicle revealed $3,145 in cash, two mobile phones, a box containing 45 loose rounds of .22-caliber ammunition, 18.9 grams of marijuana, and 1 gram of crack cocaine. Paulino now faces multiple charges, including distribution of a Class B drug and possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card.
During her arraignment on December 12, 2023, Judge John Coffey set bail at $250 cash or $2,500 surety. This arrest comes just months after Paulino was involved in another incident in December 2022, where she was charged with stealing a winning Keno ticket. After pleading guilty to larceny, her probation was extended to October 2029.
The latest charges pose a significant risk to Paulino’s probation status. A final probation surrender hearing is scheduled for December 17, 2023, in Middlesex Superior Court. At this hearing, the judge will determine whether her probation should be revoked, which could result in her serving the remainder of her original sentence.
Paulino’s history and the recent developments underscore the ongoing struggles she faces, reflecting a troubling cycle of behavior following her initial conviction. As this story develops, authorities and community members are left questioning the broader implications of such cases on public safety and rehabilitation.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story. Follow Aaron Curtis on X @aselahcurtis, or on Bluesky @aaronscurtis.bsky.social for the latest information.
