Convicted Felon Indicted for Drug and Firearm Offenses
BOSTON – A repeat convicted felon has been charged by a federal grand jury in a superseding indictment on firearm and drug offenses.
Christian Soares, a/k/a “Eazy,” 29, of Brockton, was indicted on two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition; one count of possessing with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, and buprenorphine (suboxone); one count of possessing with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, MDA and 40 grams or more of fentanyl; and two counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Soares was previously indicted in August 2019.
According to the indictment, in 2019, Soares possessed a loaded firearm while a convicted felon did so in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense – namely, possessing cocaine, fentanyl and buprenorphine (suboxone) intended for distribution. In 2021, while on pretrial release following the August 2019 indictment, it is alleged that Soares possessed multiple firearms and ammunition while a convicted felon and did so in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Additionally, it is alleged he did so while also possessing cocaine, methamphetamine, MDA and 40 grams or more of fentanyl intended for distribution.
Soares was previously convicted of at least one prior felony conviction.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, and buprenorphine, provides for a sentence of not more than 20 years, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5,000,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl (which charge also alleged cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDA) provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug offense provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to life in prison, to be served from and after the term of imprisonment imposed for any other count, supervised release of up to five years, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Bryan Kyes, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Braintree, Cambridge, Canton, Randolph and Weymouth Police Departments; the Suffolk, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorneys’ Offices; and the Suffolk, Plymouth and Norfolk County Sheriffs’ Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin R. O’Donnell of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This effort is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
