BOSTON - A Braintree man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston on drug trafficking charges.
Vaughn Lewis, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris to nine years in prison and three years of supervised release. In April 2018, Lewis pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine.
During an investigation into a network of street gangs trafficking illegal firearms and drugs, investigators identified Lewis as a Brockton-based drug dealer. Lewis was a customer of, and distributor for, Luis Rivera, a/k/a “Fat Louie," a major cocaine supplier in the Brockton area. Lewis was arrested and charged on June 9, 2016, at which time a search warrant was executed on his property. During the search, drugs, drug trafficking paraphernalia and a loaded handgun were recovered.
According to court documents, Lewis had a lengthy criminal record, including convictions for drug trafficking in Massachusetts in 1997 and 2009.
Lewis is one of 53 defendants indicted in June 2016 on federal firearms and drug charges following an investigation into a network of street gangs that created alliances to traffic weapons and drugs throughout Massachusetts and to generate violence against rival gang members. According to court documents, the defendants, who are leaders, members, and associates of the 18th Street Gang, East Side Money Gang and the Boylston Street Gang, were responsible for fueling a gun and drug pipeline across a number of cities and towns in eastern Massachusetts. During the course of the investigation, over 70 firearms were seized.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; Maura Healey, Attorney General of Massachusetts; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Boston Police Commissioner William Gross; Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes; and Brockton Police Chief John Crowley made the announcement today. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also acknowledges the assistance of the Suffolk and Middlesex County Sheriff Departments and the Malden, Revere and Everett Police Departments.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
