Four men from Brockton face federal charges following their purported involvement in a violent exchange of gunfire that resulted in a woman being shot in the chest. The U.S. Attorney's Office announced the indictment, which includes Natalio Miranda, 33, charged with illegal machine gun possession and being a felon in possession of ammunition; Jonathan Alves, 28; Romeo Miller, 26; and Jahleil Monteiro, 25, all charged with being felons in possession of ammunition. Additionally, Monteiro is facing a charge of being an accessory after the fact.
According to a report provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office, the four accused were allegedly connected to a shootout at a house party in Brockton, which unfolded in the early hours of June 2, 2024. Miranda, who was previously convicted in February 2023 on federal fentanyl distribution conspiracy charges, is accused of having used an automatic weapon during the incident. Alves and Monteiro were taken into custody this morning and are expected to quickly make their initial court appearances.
The grand jury's findings narrate a chaotic scene captured by surveillance footage, showcasing Miranda, Miller, and Alves opening fire in the direction of the victim, who was located outside the home where the party was taking place. Miller, who evades capture, is specifically accused of injuring the woman. The victim, who survived the incident, was rushed to a hospital nearby.
Each defendant faces significant prison time if convicted—the charges of felon in possession of ammunition come with a possible 15-year sentence. Miranda's charge of possession of a machinegun could lead to another 10 years behind bars. In the same vein, Monteiro's accessory charge could potentially halve his maximum punishment. These potential sentences, as explained in the statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office, are at the discretion of a federal district court judge, based on applicable guidelines and statutes.
The indictments highlight the collaboration between local and federal law enforcement, with U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley, ATF Special Agent in Charge James M. Ferguson, and Brockton Police Chief Brenda I. Perez recognizing the joint efforts and acknowledging the valuable assistance of the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office. Christopher J. Pohl of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is leading the prosecution.
As per the U.S. Attorney's Office, the allegations presented in the indictment are subject to the legal process, and the defendants maintain the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The ongoing case awaits further developments as the involved parties prepare for the judicial proceedings that lie ahead.
