A Brockton man, Andre McNeil, has entered a guilty plea in a federal court for charges of drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The plea was made in Boston, and U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris has slated McNeil's sentencing for July 30, 2025.
McNeil, 35, who has admitted to gang affiliation and has a violent criminal past, was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2024. He pleaded guilty to one count of cocaine possession with intent to distribute and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The charges stem from searches conducted on his vehicle and several connected residences on February 2, 2024, leading to the discovery of about 31 grams of cocaine, three handguns, multiple magazines, approximately 101 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and nearly $17,406 in cash. Additional items believed to be linked to drug trafficking operations, such as scales, a money counter, baggies, and a drug ledger were also found.
McNeil's previous conviction for manslaughter in 2014 in Suffolk Superior Court has prohibited him from possessing firearms. He was convicted for the shooting death of a 17-year-old outside a Roxbury high school and served more than 12 years in state prison.
The cocaine possession charge carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, with supervised release spanning from three years to life, alongside a possible fine as high as $1 million. The firearms charge may result in a sentence of up to 15 years with three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
The case announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. The investigation involved input from the Massachusetts State Police and police departments of Brockton, Foxboro, and Taunton, with Assistant U.S. Attorney John Dawley handling the prosecution.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program aimed at reducing gun violence and violent crime through collaboration among community entities and law enforcement. This initiative began a renewed strategy in May 2021, emphasizing trust-building, community organization support, and strategic enforcement to enhance neighborhood safety.
