Convicted Felon Arrested for Attempting To Trade Fentanyl for Four Firearms
BOSTON – A Quincy man was arrested yesterday for allegedly distributing fentanyl to obtain four firearms while a convicted felon.
Caesar Ross, 39, was charged with one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Ross was arrested yesterday and, following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston this afternoon, was detained pending a hearing set for Sept. 8 at 2 p.m.
“This case allegedly involves the deadly cocktail of fentanyl and firearms. Our office is committed to do everything in our power to reduce the number of illegal guns on the streets and the amount of fentanyl that is sold in our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy.
“This case illustrates the collaborative efforts by ATF, DEA and QPD to stop firearm trafficking and combat the flow of fentanyl into our communities. This alleged illegal activity will not be tolerated, and ATF will continue to aggressively partner with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to target traffickers,” said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division.
According to court documents, in 2022, an investigation began into Ross and others for allegedly engaging in firearms trafficking and other violations of federal firearms and drug laws. It is alleged that Ross met with a cooperating witness yesterday in Quincy to whom he allegedly provided 60 grams of fentanyl in exchange for four firearms, each of which has no visible serial number: a Beretta 92F, 9 parabellum, pistol; a Beretta 96 Brigadier elite IA, .40S&W pistol; a Glock 22, .40S&W pistol; and a FN Herstal 5.7, 5.7x28 pistol. Ross was immediately taken into custody.
Ross is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction.
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 distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances 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. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and ATF SAC Ferguson made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division, and the Quincy Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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