Massachusetts man sentenced to prison on drug trafficking after seizure of over 74,000 counterfeit pills

BOSTON – According to the Massachusetts Department of Justice, a Massachusetts man was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to nine years in prison and four years of supervised release for his role in a drug trafficking organization. In July 2024, Bryson pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Anthony Bryson, 35, of Lowell, was one of 27 individuals charged starting in October 2022 for trafficking counterfeit prescription pills. The DTO, led by brothers Christopher and Lawrence Michael Nagle, distributed large quantities of counterfeit oxycodone and Adderall pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine, respectively, primarily in the Lynn area. From January to October 2022, Bryson distributed approximately 11,346 methamphetamine pills, 280 fentanyl pills, and 100 oxycodone pills over two 30-day periods, targeting both redistributors and users. Intercepted calls showed he was aware of the drugs’ dangers, warning a co-defendant against using methamphetamine and advising him to store or sell the counterfeit pills.

The investigation led to the seizure of over 74,000 counterfeit pills containing deadly narcotics. Christopher Nagle was sentenced to over 11 years in prison in August 2024, while Lawrence Michael Nagle, who pleaded guilty in April 2025, awaits sentencing on August 5, 2025.

U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley, DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belleau, and Massachusetts State Police Superintendent Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble announced the sentencing. The Beverly, Everett, Peabody, Revere, Salem, Saugus, and Swampscott Police Departments provided support. Assistant U.S. Attorneys K. Nathaniel Yeager, Samuel R. Feldman, Ann Taylor, John O. Wray, and Alexandra Amrhein prosecuted the case.