BOSTON - Two New Bedford men were indicted by a federal grand jury last week on fentanyl and firearm offenses.
David Acosta, 25, and Marquise Thompson, 34, were indicted on one count each of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Acosta was also charged with one count of carrying a firearm during and in relation to, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime. Following an initial appearance on Friday, May 14, 2021, Acosta and Thompson were detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for May 19, 2021.
According to the indictment, on Oct. 22, 2020, Acosta and Thompson possessed more than 40 grams of fentanyl, intending to sell those narcotics. Additionally, Acosta was allegedly in possession of a loaded Glock.45 caliber pistol during and in relation to his fentanyl possession.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $4 million. The charge of possession of a firearm in relation to or in furtherance of drug trafficking provides for a mandatory minimum sentence five years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release 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 other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel Mendell; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Gotlob of Mendell’s Major Crimes 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
