Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A federal grand jury has indicted a Duxbury resident, Justin Tatum, also known as “JD,” on charges related to the distribution of fentanyl and cocaine in several Massachusetts communities, including Duxbury, Kingston, Middleborough, and Plymouth. The indictment includes six counts: one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances—specifically 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of fentanyl analogue, 500 grams or more of cocaine, and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine—as well as two counts each for distributing fentanyl (including its analogue) and possessing narcotics with intent to distribute.
Tatum was initially arrested and charged by criminal complaint in July 2025. He is scheduled for arraignment on February 12, 2026, in federal court in Boston.
Another individual, Trinity Norman (“Trin”), age 41 from Plymouth, was also indicted alongside Tatum on one count of money laundering conspiracy. Norman was arrested on February 2, 2026 and released under certain conditions after an initial court appearance.
According to information from court records, investigators received tips from cooperating sources in December 2024 that Tatum was selling fentanyl and cocaine in the greater Plymouth area. A cooperating witness then made controlled purchases from Tatum. Between April and July 2025, authorities intercepted communications via court-authorized wiretaps where Tatum allegedly discussed drug distribution activities. On July 14, 2025, law enforcement executed searches at Tatum’s residence and another location in Middleborough; these resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
Tatum has a prior conviction from Plymouth Superior Court in 2009 for trafficking cocaine; he received a sentence of fifteen years in state prison for that offense.
The charge involving conspiracy to distribute large amounts of controlled substances carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years up to life imprisonment, supervised release ranging from five years up to life, and fines up to $10 million. The money laundering conspiracy charge can result in up to twenty years’ imprisonment, three years’ supervised release, and fines up to $500,000 or twice the value involved—whichever is greater. Sentencing decisions are made by a federal district judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley stated: “United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jared A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division made the announcement today.” Additional support came from multiple agencies including the Massachusetts State Police; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; as well as police departments from Kingston, Plymouth, Duxbury and Rochester. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel R. Feldman and Brian J. Sullivan are handling prosecution duties for this case.
Authorities emphasized that all details provided within charging documents remain allegations until proven otherwise; defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
