BOSTON – Another dealer peddling poison and packing heat hit a federal courtroom today, snagging a hefty sentence. Ricardo Colon, 36, of Lowell, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 66 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to firearms and drug offenses. The bust underscores the ongoing struggle to stem the tide of fentanyl and illegal weapons flooding the streets.
According to court documents, Colon was caught red-handed on March 21, 2022, with a stash of cocaine and fentanyl clearly intended for distribution. But the drugs weren’t the only things in his possession. Authorities also recovered a .22 caliber revolver, two 9 mm pistols, multiple magazines, and 18 rounds of ammunition. For a convicted felon, possessing such firepower is a serious violation of federal law.
Colon’s criminal history made him a “career offender” in the eyes of the court, meaning the judge wasn’t inclined to go easy on him. Multiple prior felony convictions already on his record prohibited him from legally owning any firearms or ammunition. This wasn’t a first-time mistake; it was a calculated risk by a repeat offender who clearly disregarded the law.
The case was spearheaded by Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, with crucial support from James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Boston Field Division, and Greg Hudon, Superintendent of the Lowell Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Tobin, of the Major Crimes Unit, handled the prosecution, building a solid case against Colon based on the evidence seized during the March 2022 raid.
Federal officials are framing Colon’s sentencing as a victory for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a collaborative program aimed at reducing gun violence and violent crime. The initiative brings together law enforcement at all levels, along with community organizations, to address the root causes of crime and create safer neighborhoods. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, focusing on trust-building, community support, strategic enforcement, and measurable results.
The message is clear: dealing drugs and illegally possessing firearms will not be tolerated. Colon’s 66-month sentence serves as a warning to others operating in the shadows, pushing poison and packing weapons. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing efforts to combat violent crime in Massachusetts and beyond. For more information on Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit Justice.gov/PSN.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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