Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Brockton man linked to the Harvard Street Gang (HSG) was sentenced in federal court to 12 years in prison for distributing fentanyl. Joshua Tavares, 29, received the sentence from U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy and will also serve five years of supervised release.
Tavares pleaded guilty in May 2025 to three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and its analogue. He had previously been indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2024.
During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors described how Tavares was identified as an HSG member in 2023 and sold approximately 549 grams of fentanyl analogue during six transactions between September and November 2024. All sales were recorded on video.
After these controlled purchases, law enforcement executed arrest and search warrants on December 3, 2024, at multiple Brockton locations. They recovered about four kilograms of suspected fentanyl, cocaine, drug packaging materials, more than $89,000 in cash, and two Glock firearms—one equipped with a machinegun conversion device.
Authorities also found another Glock firearm with a tactical laser sight at a stash location along with ammunition and loaded magazines including a drum-style magazine capable of holding 50 rounds. Machinegun conversion devices are designed to make firearms fully automatic.
In February 2026, eight other members and associates of HSG faced charges related to drugs and firearms. Federal investigations into HSG have resulted in over 20 individuals being charged since 2019 for drug trafficking and firearm offenses; authorities have seized more than 100 kilograms of drugs such as cocaine and fentanyl as well as over 45 firearms—including several machine guns—during this period. According to court documents cited by officials, HSG has been connected to gang violence including shootings, murders, and witness intimidation. Several members have received lengthy prison sentences following convictions.
"United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today." "Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Brockton Police Department." "Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case."
