Francisco Gabriel Diaz, 32, of Boston, has admitted to charges relating to the possession of a firearm and a significant amount of fentanyl with the intent to distribute, while previously on federal supervised release. According to a recent announcement by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Diaz entered his guilty plea in federal court and faces a substantial sentence, with the hearing slated for October 10, 2024.
On June 24, 2021, authorities conducted a search of Diaz's residence leading to evidence incriminating enough to drive a conviction. Recovered items included a black Taurus G2S 9mm firearm, ammunition, over 40 grams of fentanyl, substances identified as crack cocaine, as well as paraphernalia hinting at narcotic distribution. Charged in December 2021, Diaz's guilty plea now adds to a series of convictions detailing his involvement in drug and firearms offenses.
The gravity of the crimes carries potentially severe penalties, with the drug charge alone threatening a minimum of five years to as much as 40 years in prison. The additional firearm possession charge, borne out of drug trafficking activities, also holds a sentence from five years to life imprisonment, as well as fines that could reach up to $250,000. "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," as articulated in the original press release.
This prosecution falls under the scope of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a collaborative endeavor aimed at curtailing gun violence and improving the safety of communities through partnerships between law enforcement and civic organizations. PSN has evolved following a strategy overhaul initiated by the Department on May 26, 2021, which emphasizes fostering community trust, prevention services by community-based organizations, focused enforcement priorities, and measuring the impact of these strategies.
