Brockton Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Selling Fentanyl; Multiple Machineguns and Kilograms of Fentanyl Recovered During Searches

BOSTON - A Brockton man associated with Brockton-based Harvard Street Gang (HSG) was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for selling fentanyl to a cooperating witness during multiple controlled purchases. At the time of the controlled purchases, the defendant was on probation for a 2019 fentanyl conviction and on pretrial release for a separate March 2024 drug arrest.

Joshua Tavares, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy to 12 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In May 2025, Tavares pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and fentanyl analogue. In December 2024, Tavares was indicted by a federal grand jury.

As discussed during the sentencing hearing today, in 2023, Tavares was identified as a member of HSG. Tavares conducted six sales of fentanyl and fentanyl analogue to a cooperating witness from September to November of 2024. Over the course of the six transactions, Tavares sold approximately 549 grams of fentanyl analogue to a cooperating witness. All of the transactions were captured on video recording.

After the controlled purchases, an arrest warrant and search warrants were executed on Dec. 3, 2024 at multiple residences and stash houses in Brockton. During the searches, approximately four kilograms of suspected fentanyl, cocaine, packaging materials for distribution of controlled substances and over $89,000 in cash were recovered. A .40 caliber Glock firearm and a 9mm Glock firearm with a machinegun conversion device were also located in the residence where Tavares was located.

A 9mm Glock firearm with a machinegun conversion device and a tactical laser sight was recovered from a stash location along with numerous rounds of ammunition and multiple loaded magazines, including a 50 round "drum" style magazine. Machinegun conversion devices, commonly referred to as "switches," are designed to convert firearms into fully automatic weapons.

In February 2026, eight members and associates of HSG were charged with drug and firearm offenses. The court papers related to those arrests, refer to Tavares and his membership in HSG. According to court documents, the Harvard Street Gang (HSG) has been subject to federal investigation since 2019. During this time, more than 20 leaders, members and associates of HSG have been charged with state and federal drug trafficking and firearm crimes. Over 100 kilograms of drugs, including cocaine and fentanyl, and over 45 firearms, including multiple machine guns, have been seized. According to court documents, HSG has been involved in gang violence, including shootings, murders and witness intimidation. Numerous HSG leaders, members, and associates have been convicted of drug trafficking and firearm crimes in federal court because of this investigation. At least six defendants have been sentenced to 10 years or more in federal prison, and one member who was convicted after trial was sentenced to 32 years in prison.

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.