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Boston Man Sentenced for Fentanyl and Cocaine Trafficking
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced in federal court in Boston yesterday for conspiring to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.
Josiah Watkins, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 51 months in prison and four years of supervised release. Watkins previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl and cocaine.
In February 2021, an investigation into the drug trafficking activities conducted by Watkins and co-defendant London Lee revealed that Watkins and his co-defendant were actively selling cocaine, crack cocaine and fentanyl in the Boston area. Between February and April 2021, Watkins and Lee sold, or arranged the sale of, crack cocaine and fentanyl in at least 10 separate controlled purchases.
Watkins and Lee’s actions put countless lives at risk, and the sentence handed down yesterday is a step towards holding those responsible accountable. As our community continues to grapple with the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic, it’s more important than ever that we prioritize justice and hold those who perpetuate this scourge to task.
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 U.S. Attorney’s Office 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 investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, and the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Dawley, Jr. of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case. United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins, Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement.
Co-defendant London Lee pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 13, 2023.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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