A man from Fall River has found himself in the grip of the law after federal prosecutors charged him with using the U.S. mail to ship cocaine from California to Massachusetts. The U.S. Attorney's Office in a statement named the accused as Justin Dupras, 42, who now faces a possible 20-year prison sentence if convicted.

Dupras allegedly sent a package containing about two kilograms of cocaine from a Los Angeles post office to his home state on December 17, 2024. Two days later, upon returning to Massachusetts, he reportedly went to a Fall River Post Office, where someone else signed for and handed him the narcotic-laden box. The charges against Dupras also cover similar past incidents, one as recent as September and October 2024, where he is accused of mailing drug packages, then promptly flying back to Massachusetts.

In their announcement of the charges, U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Inspector Ketty Larco-Ward emphasized the collaborative effort which included the Fall River Police Department in uncovering this operation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely is tasked with prosecuting the case. The United States Postal Inspection Service played a pivotal role in investigation, reflecting the severity with which such drug trafficking offenses are addressed by federal authorities.

While the accusation carries a heavy weight, the legal principle holds that Dupras remains presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Nonetheless, the gravity of the charge—attempting to possess cocaine with intent to distribute—is clear, carrying as it does a sentence of up to 20 years, a possible life term of supervised release, and a fine that could reach $1,000,000. Such potential consequences underscore the high stakes of the federal court system, and Dupras will soon appear in court to face these allegations.