BOSTON – A Lawrence man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for charges related to fentanyl trafficking and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Luis Berroa, 33, was sentenced on Sept. 15, 2022 by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to seven years in prison followed by four years of supervised release. On May 18, 2022, Berroa pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Berroa has remained in federal custody since his arrest in May 2019.
During a search of Berroa’s residence in March 2019, more than 70 grams of fentanyl, a metal drug press, two handguns and ammunition were found in Berroa’s bedroom. Berroa is not licensed to carry firearms, had not applied for a license and did not purchase the handguns from a licensed federal firearms dealer. On his cellular phone, law enforcement found photographs of numerous handguns, including one of the handguns seized from Berroa’s bedroom.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Office made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Lawrence Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Ferguson and Stephen Hassink of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.