Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Fall River resident, Carlos Perez, 40, has been arrested and charged with firearm and drug offenses. According to federal authorities, Perez faces one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and one count of distributing a controlled substance. He was taken into custody on November 13, 2025, and appeared in federal court in Boston where he was ordered detained until a hearing scheduled for November 19.
Charging documents state that on May 5, 2025, Perez allegedly sold cocaine along with a .45 caliber pistol and ammunition to a cooperating witness. Further allegations indicate that he sold additional firearms: a Sig Sauer P230 SL .380 caliber pistol and ammunition on June 2, as well as a Ruger Max 9 9mm pistol and ammunition on June 30.
Perez is legally barred from possessing firearms or ammunition due to multiple prior convictions. The documents detail that he has faced 61 adult charges with more than 15 criminal convictions. These include a conviction in 2015 for possession with intent to distribute a Class A substance—resulting in two years served—and two separate convictions for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in 2008.
If convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, Perez could face up to fifteen years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fines up to $250,000. The charge for distributing a controlled substance carries the possibility of up to twenty years’ imprisonment, at least three years (and potentially up to life) supervised release, and fines reaching $1 million. Sentencing will be determined by the federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge at the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. The Massachusetts State Police along with Fall River and New Bedford Police Departments assisted in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Reynolds III is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative targeting illegal immigration issues as well as organized crime groups involved in violent crime through coordinated law enforcement efforts nationwide.
Authorities remind that these are allegations only; Perez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
