Fall River Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution Conspiracy

FALL RIVER (WBSM) — A Fall River man pleaded guilty Tuesday, February 27, to his role in a drug distribution conspiracy involving oxycodone pills.

Austin Gonsalves, 37, pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

Gonsalves was arrested and charged along with five others in July 2023 for their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking organization that distributed oxycodone pills across Southeastern Massachusetts. A federal grand jury subsequently indicted the defendants in August 2023.

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Between at least February 2023 and May 2023, Gonsalves obtained oxycodone pills, allegedly from co-defendant Kenneth Veiga, which he then distributed to others. A search of Gonsalves' Fall River residence in July 2023 resulted in the seizure of approximately $16,000 in cash and about 400 oxycodone pills.

Gonsalves could be facing a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentencing is scheduled for May 30, 2024.