Acushnet Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug, Gun Charges

BOSTON — An Acushnet man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and illegal firearm possession.

Clifford Gomes, 54, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for June 16, 2020. Gomes was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 15, 2019.

Between January 2018 and April 2019 Gomes conspired with Manuel Pina-Agee, and others, to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

On Nov. 26, 2019, Pina-Agee pleaded guilty to various drug trafficking charges and illegal possession of firearms. Pina-Agee is scheduled to be sentenced on March 27, 2020.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 40 years in prison, four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of distribution of fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

— U.S. Attorney’s Office