Massachusetts man sentenced to prison for role in wide-ranging drug trafficking conspiracy

BOSTON – A Massachusetts man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his role in a wide-ranging drug trafficking conspiracy that spanned from Boston to Brockton to Cape Cod.

Jermaine Gonsalves, 35, of Brockton, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 115 months in prison and six years of supervised release. On Sept. 22, 2021, Gonsalves pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, oxycodone and marijuana.

In the fall of 2018, law enforcement began investigating a violent Brockton drug trafficking organization headed by brothers Djuna and Cody Goncalves that distributed large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, cocaine base and marijuana throughout southeastern Massachusetts from a base of operations on Addison Avenue in Brockton. The investigation identified Gonsalves as a member of the DTO who drove Djuna to pick up fentanyl from suppliers and deliver it to customers. The investigation also targeted several Boston-based drug suppliers to the Goncalves brothers.

A search of Gonsalves’ residence during the investigation resulted in the seizure of a loaded 9-millimeter Luger semiautomatic pistol, .40 caliber ammunition, approximately 43 suboxone strips, a digital scale, a pistol light and a bag of cutting agents.

Gonsalves was indicted in a superseding indictment in June 2019 along with 16 others as part of the drug trafficking conspiracy. Gonsalves has a prior federal drug trafficking conviction and a conviction for assault with a dangerous weapon. Gonsalves is the 12th defendant to be sentenced in the case. All of the remaining defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Alathea E. Porter of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.