Brockton man Kawana Tillman, 47, is facing a federal reckoning after being indicted on multiple firearm and drug charges stemming from a 2019 arrest. The charges cut deep into the core of urban violence and drug trafficking plaguing Massachusetts, with Tillman accused of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and moving large quantities of cocaine base onto the streets.
The federal grand jury in Boston returned the indictment charging Tillman with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition—one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, and another count specifically tied to possession with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of that same drug. Tillman isn’t new to the justice system; he’s previously been convicted of felony drug conspiracy and firearm offenses, marking a pattern of violent criminal behavior.
Tillman was arrested on April 30, 2019, and has remained in custody ever since. The charges carry severe penalties: the firearm count allows for up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Each drug count could land him 30 years behind bars, a minimum of six years supervised release up to life, and fines reaching $2 million. The count involving 28 grams or more triggers a mandatory minimum of five years.
These sentences aren’t just numbers—they’re the federal government’s message to repeat offenders. A federal district court judge will weigh the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors before handing down punishment. Tillman’s prior record ensures the hammer will fall hard—if convicted.
The takedown is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the DOJ’s nationwide push to dismantle violent crime networks by uniting federal, state, and local agencies. Since its reinvigoration in 2017, PSN has targeted career criminals like Tillman, aiming to disrupt the cycle of violence before it spreads further into communities.
The announcement was made jointly by top law enforcement figures: U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling, FBI Boston’s Joseph R. Bonavolonta, ATF Boston’s Kelly Brady, Plymouth County DA Timothy J. Cruz, Suffolk County DA Rachael Rollins, Massachusetts State Police Col. Kerry A. Gilpin, and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Soivilien of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit is leading prosecution. The indictment remains an allegation—Tillman is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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