Fall River felon with 15 convictions facing drug and firearms charges

BOSTON, Mass. (WLNE) — A Fall River man who has faced 61 adult criminal charges and has served 15 criminal convictions was arrested Thursday on firearm and cocaine distribution charges.

Carlos Perez, 40, allegedly sold cocaine and a .45 caliber pistol and ammunition to a cooperating witness on May 5, according to the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Perez also allegedly sold a firearm and ammunition on June 2 and June 30.

He is prohibited from having firearms due to his prior convictions.

Perez served two years in prison after a 2015 narcotics distribution conviction, and six months in prison for a 2008 assault and battery with a dangerous weapon conviction.

He also received a two-year suspended sentence on a separate assault and battery dangerous weapon conviction in 2008.

He is facing up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the new charge of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Perez is also facing up to 20 years in prison for the charge of distributing a controlled substance.

He was ordered detained after his arrest, and his next hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.