Fall River man pleads guilty to oxycodone trafficking conspiracy

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) – A Fall River man pleaded guilty to having a role in a drug distribution conspiracy.

Austin Gonsalves, 37, pleaded guilty in Boston federal court on Tuesday for his role in a conspiracy involving oxycodone pills.

The District Attorney’s Office said Gonsalves was arrested and charged along with five others in July 2023 for their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking organization in Southeastern Massachusetts.

Officials said, between at least February 2023 and May 2023, Gonsalves received oxycodone pills, allegedly from co-defendant Kenneth Veiga, which were then distributed.

A search of Gonsalves’ Fall River residence in July 2023 resulted in the seizure of approximately $16,000 in cash and about 400 oxycodone pills, according to authorities.

The defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2023.

Gonsalves pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. 

A judge scheduled his sentencing for May 30.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million, per officials.