Bristol County career criminal sentenced in Fall River on gun and drug charges after fatal overdose

A 37-year-old career criminal from Raynham was convicted of trafficking fentanyl and cocaine while also being in possession of illegal guns, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn announced.

Terrance Silveira pleaded guilty last week in Fall River Superior Court to indictments charging him with trafficking fentanyl, trafficking cocaine, five counts of possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count each of unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of a high capacity feeding device.

He was sentenced by Judge William White to serve seven to nine years in state prison.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Russ Eonas.

During the course of an investigation into a fatal drug overdose, investigators identified Silveira’s phone number as a source of supply.  Utilizing the number, undercover Massachusetts State Troopers conducted five controlled buys of Fentanyl from Silveira. 

On January 12, 2023, investigators sought a search warrant for Silveira’s apartment on Daisy Lane in Raynham.  Prior to executing the warrant, investigators arranged another purchase of Fentanyl from him.  When he left to distribute the drugs, he was apprehended.  Investigators recovered approximately 10 grams of Fentanyl from him at that time. 

During the execution of the search warrant, in the aggregate from various locations within the home, investigators recovered approximately 104 grams of cocaine, from Silveira and the home, 105 grams of Fentanyl, $9,952 in cash, two firearms (one Glock 9mm and one RF-15 long gun), ammunition, high capacity feeding devices and indicia of distribution (scale, money counter).

Silveira has served multiple state prison and county jail sentences for drug trafficking and assaults, according to the DA.

“The defendant is a career criminal who continues to traffick in large amounts of narcotics and was in possession of guns to facilitate his drug dealing.  He clearly is a danger and needs to be kept off the street for a long time,” District Attorney Quinn said.