Taunton man released after committing two crimes while out on bail sentenced in Fall River on drug charges

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn, III has announced that a 53-year-old man pled guilty and was sentenced before the Honorable Michael Cahillane in the Fall River Superior Court last week.

Brian Goncalves of Taunton will serve a State Prison sentence of 2 to 4 years for narcotics charges stemming from three separate cases. The cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jason Mohan.

On February 1, 2018, Massachusetts State Trooper Keith Ledin was operating an unmarked cruiser in the City of Taunton.  As Trooper Ledin approached the intersection of School and Grant Street, he observed a grey Mercedes sedan fail to stop at a stop sign and further observed the Mercedes to turn without signaling and operate at a high rate of speed while zigzagging in and out traffic.  Trooper Ledin conducted a motor vehicle stop and encountered Goncalves who was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle.  While interacting with him, Trooper Ledin observed in plain view several knotted bags that contained powder and rocklike substances.  Goncalves, after being placed in custody and informed of his Miranda rights, indicated that additional narcotics were located in the center console. Trooper Ledin recovered additional plastic baggies of cocaine from the console of the vehicle.  Goncalves indicated the narcotics seized were cocaine.  When the trunk of the vehicle was searched, Troopers located a Glock 30 handgun that had 10 rounds of ammunition in the magazine.  When confronted, the defendant, who did not possess and FID card, indicated the gun was his and that he forgot it was in the trunk.  In total, 19 bags of powdered cocaine and 19 bags of crack cocaine were recovered, totaling in excess of 36 grams. 

On May 14, 2018, while Goncalves was on release from the February 2018 narcotics case, the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit were patrolling the area of McGrath’s Café in Taunton when they observed a motorcycle exit the lot at a high rate of speed.  Troopers conducted a motor vehicle stop and encountered Goncalves who was the operator of the motorcycle.  During that stop, Troopers seized just under 8 grams of cocaine from the defendant’s person and motorcycle.  As a result of the arrest, his bail was revoked on the February 2018 case.

On February 26, 2020, while Goncalves was out on bail after being held for the bail revocation period, the Taunton Police executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence in Taunton. Goncalves was located in the residence with his girlfriend.  Both were provided Miranda warnings and indicated to police that all of the drugs were located in the master bedroom.  Police seized an amount of cocaine from the master bedroom that was determined to be under trafficking weight along with $1,129.00 in cash.

“The defendant was released by the court after committing two crimes while out on bail. Unfortunately, this happens too often in our court system,” District Attorney Tom Quinn said.