Fall River Man Guilty in Federal Gun and Drug Case

BOSTON (WBSM) — A Fall River man with a long history of criminal activity pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Boston to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and distributing cocaine.

Fall River Man Pleads Guilty in Federal Court

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Carlos Perez, 40, pleaded guilty on April 9 to four counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and one count of distributing a controlled substance. He is scheduled for sentencing on July 14, 2026.

Months-Long Investigation Led to Arrest

Perez was arrested in November 2025 after a months-long investigation. On May 5, 2025, he sold cocaine and a .45-caliber pistol and ammunition to a cooperating witness. He also sold a Sig Sauer P230 SL .380-caliber pistol and ammunition on June 2, 2025; a Ruger Max 9 9mm pistol and ammunition on June 30, 2025; and a Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield 9mm pistol and ammunition on Aug. 27, 2025.

Extensive Criminal Record Detailed in Case

Perez is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition due to multiple prior convictions. He has 61 adult charges on his record and more than 15 criminal convictions, including a 2015 state conviction for possession with intent to distribute a Class A substance, for which he served two years in the House of Correction. He also has two separate convictions for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in 2008, for which he received a two-year suspended sentence and six months in the House of Correction.

Potential Prison Time and Penalties

The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of distributing a controlled substance provides for 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.

States Ranked by Gun Death Rates

Gun death rates per 100,000 are high in the U.S., and getting higher. Here's a list of states ranked by firearm safety, from lowest death rates to highest. Data for 2021 is from the CDC via Violence Policy Center.

Gallery Credit: Kate Robinson