Fall River Repeat Offender Faces Decades in Prison for Gun, Drug Charges

BOSTON (WBSM) — A Fall River man with a lengthy criminal history is facing a potential sentence of decades in prison after he was arrested and charged with allegedly possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and distributing cocaine.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Carlos Perez, 40, was arrested on November 13, 2025 and was charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and one count of distributing a controlled substance.

He was ordered held pending a hearing scheduled for November 19.

Arrest Details and Timeline

It is alleged that on May 5, 2025, Perez sold cocaine, a .45-caliber pistol and ammunition to a cooperating witness. He also allegedly sold a Sig Sauer P230 SL .380-caliber pistol and ammunition on June 2, 2025, as well as a Ruger Max 9 9mm pistol and ammunition on June 30, 2025.

Criminal History and Prior Convictions

Perez is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to multiple prior convictions. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said he has 61 adult charges on his record and over 15 criminal convictions, including a 2015 state conviction for possession with intent to distribute a Class A substance. 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.

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Potential Sentences if Convicted

If convicted, 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.