Fall River man who was arrested for trafficking cocaine, possessing illegal firearm while on probation, sentenced

A 25-year-old Fall River man who was arrested in late 2018 for trafficking cocaine and possessing an illegal firearm while already on probation for dealing drugs, was sentenced to serve up to seven-and-a-half years in state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Justin Russell pleaded guilty Monday in Fall River Super to indictments charging him with trafficking in excess of 18 grams of cocaine, unlawful possession of a firearm without an FID card, possession of a large capacity magazine, and possession of ammunition without an FID card.

On December 4, 2018, Fall River Police Vice Unit had a search warrant for the defendant’s house on Howland Street. Police were doing some surveillance at a different location when they observed the defendant engage with another individual in a hand to hand drug transaction. Police them approached the defendant as he was entering back into his car and informed him of the search warrant for his residence. In the defendant’s bedroom, police found 21 grams of cocaine, a firearm, ammunition, a large capacity magazine, and two regular magazines.
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The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Daniel Walsh and the five to seven-and-a-half year state prison sentence was imposed by Judge Thomas J. Perrino.

“Despite being on a court-ordered probation, this defendant continued to sell drugs and possessed a large capacity illegal firearm​ in furtherance of his drug dealing. This defendant is a danger to the community and this sentence will keep him off the streets for up to 7-and-a-half years,” District Attorney Quinn said.