FHA resident charged in drug distribution case following traffic stop subsequent raid
Framingham Unfiltered Editor
Framingham, MA — April 7, 2025
A Framingham man is facing felony drug charges after a traffic stop and police raid led to the discovery of what authorities say was an active drug distribution operation in a city-owned housing unit.
Michael Ottaviani, 57, of 36 Rose Kennedy Lane, was arrested on April 4 after Housing Officer Jamie Lewis stopped him near Middlesex Avenue and Union Avenue. Police say a subsequent search warrant executed at his apartment by the Community Impact Unit and K-9 Unit uncovered additional drugs and resulted in the shutdown of a sales operation.
Ottaviani was charged with:
- Two felony counts of possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance
- Operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license
- Failure to stop for police
He was arraigned in Framingham District Court on April 7, pleaded not guilty, and was released on $500 cash bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 22.
Community Response to Omission
Although Framingham Police publicly announced the arrest and charges on Facebook shortly after the incident, Ottaviani’s name was not included in the original post. His identity became public days later through the court docket and official police arrest log.
The delay in naming the suspect sparked community commentary, especially among residents familiar with the Framingham Housing Authority (FHA) properties.
“This could affect the safety of every single person living here,” said one FHA resident, who asked not to be named. “If there’s a major drug arrest in one of our buildings, we need to know where and who, to be told immediately—not days later. That kind of information can’t wait.”
“This is nothing new. This is going on all over FHA,” one commenter wrote.
“He better lose his home, if it’s his,” another resident said. “Thank God we finally have a housing cop who is there to help.”
Questions were also raised about who holds the lease to the apartment and whether Ottaviani should remain eligible for subsidized housing in light of the charges. Some commenters emphasized the importance of accountability within public housing programs.
While many in the community praised the efforts of Officer Lewis and the police units involved, several expressed concerns over consistency in public communication—specifically regarding when and why names are withheld from police announcements.
As of this writing, neither the Framingham Police Department nor the Framingham Housing Authority has commented on the case or on policies related to resident eligibility following criminal charges.
Ottaviani is represented by Charles MacLean, a local attorney with an office in Framingham.