A Brockton man, once convicted for manslaughter, has now faced the consequences of his continued disregard for the law. Andre McNeil, 35, has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. According to a statement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, McNeil’s sentencing is set for July 30, 2025, following his indictment by a federal grand jury in June 2024.
McNeil, who is no stranger to the criminal justice system, was banned from possessing firearms after a 2014 manslaughter conviction when he was found guilty for the shooting death of a 17-year-old boy outside a Roxbury high school. Despite this, federal agents in February 2024 unearthed a stash during searches of McNeil’s vehicle, and associated residences: around 31 grams of cocaine, and three handguns, two high-capacity magazines, five other magazines, about 101 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and nearly $17,406 in cash — along with cellular devices and drug trafficking paraphernalia like scales and a drug ledger.
The charges carry hefty penalties: for cocaine possession with intent to distribute, McNeil faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and a lifetime of supervised release. The firearm possession offense carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000. U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, announced the guilty plea, noting the collaborative efforts of state and local police departments in bringing the case forward.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a national initiative that aims to make our neighborhoods safer by curbing gun violence and other violent crime. "For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN," the official announcement detailed. PSN's strategy, refreshed in 2021, focuses on fostering trust within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.
