Fall River Career Criminal Sentenced to Up to 12 Years for Trafficking and Domestic Assault

FALL RIVER (WBSM) — A Fall River man was sentenced to up to 12 years in prison Monday after pleading guilty to trafficking cocaine and domestic assault and stabbing charges.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced that Trajaun Albert, 39, pleaded guilty on June 22 in Fall River Superior Court and was sentenced to 10 to 12 years in state prison.

History of Drug and Violence Charges

Quinn said Albert has prior offenses for drugs, guns, and assault and has served time in both federal and state prisons.

The charge of trafficking cocaine over 36 grams dates back to November 21, 2022. Fall River Police observed Albert in the area of Choate Street and attempted to approach him, and he ran off and threw an item over a chain link fence into the yard of 81 Bedford Street. He was then found and detained and found to be in possession of a knife and a bag of cocaine, as well as $1,273 in cash. Police then located the multiple bags of cocaine Albert threw over the fence.

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Details of the Domestic Assault Investigations

On June 2, 2023, at about 9:30 p.m., Fall River Police responded to 41 Webster Street. Albert’s girlfriend told police that Albert had come home drunk and accused her of cheating on him. When she left the building, he followed her and dragged her by her hair back into the apartment. A neighbor who witnessed it called the police. Albert fled the scene on foot and police were unable to locate him at that time.

A Second Instance of Domestic Violence

Then on June 16, 2023, at about 6 a.m., police responded again to that address and met with the victim, who was “visibly upset and her face and chest were covered in blood,” according to the D.A.’s Office. Albert had appeared at her apartment that morning unannounced, saying he wanted to retrieve his belongings. When she allowed him to enter, he followed her into the bedroom and pushed her onto the bed. He then pulled out a black firearm from his waistband, along with a pocketknife. Albert held the blade of the knife under her right eye and stated, "I am going to take your eyes out and then turn myself in.” He then cut her face several times, causing her to bleed throughout the apartment.

The victim attempted to fight him off and eventually made her way out the back door and ran to a neighbor’s house for help. When police arrived, they saw blood on her, on her clothing, on the bedding, the floors, and the walls of the apartment. They found a knife directly outside the back door, next to storage bins that contained Albert’s belongings, including his state-issued ID. Officers searched the area but could not locate the firearm.

While officers were on the scene, Albert – who was wearing clothes with visible blood stains – turned himself in. The victim was taken to the hospital for multiple lacerations along with a broken nose.

D.A. Quinn on the Conviction

“The defendant is a career criminal who simply needs to be kept off the street for a long time to protect the victim and the public," Quinn said.