A Brockton man identified as a member of the Harvard Street Gang (HSG) was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl. Joshua Tavares, 29, received his sentence from U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy and will also serve five years of supervised release.
Tavares pleaded guilty in May 2025 to three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and fentanyl analogue. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2024.
According to information presented during the sentencing hearing, Tavares sold fentanyl and fentanyl analogue on six occasions between September and November 2024 to a cooperating witness. These transactions, which totaled about 549 grams of fentanyl analogue, were all recorded on video.
At the time of these sales, Tavares was on probation for a previous 2019 conviction involving fentanyl and was also on pretrial release following a separate drug arrest in March 2024.
On December 3, 2024, law enforcement executed arrest and search warrants at multiple locations in Brockton following the controlled purchases. The searches led to the recovery of approximately four kilograms of suspected fentanyl, cocaine, packaging materials used for drug distribution, more than $89,000 in cash, and two Glock firearms—one equipped with a machinegun conversion device.
A further search revealed another Glock firearm fitted with a machinegun conversion device and tactical laser sight at a stash location. Authorities also found numerous rounds of ammunition and several loaded magazines, including one “drum” style magazine capable of holding 50 rounds. These machinegun conversion devices are designed to make firearms fully automatic.
In February 2026, eight other members and associates of HSG were charged with drug and firearm offenses. Court documents indicate that HSG has been under federal investigation since 2019. During this period, more than 20 leaders or members have faced charges related to drug trafficking and firearms crimes at both state and federal levels. Over the course of the investigation, authorities seized over 100 kilograms of drugs—including cocaine and fentanyl—and more than 45 firearms, among them several machine guns. According to court records, HSG’s activities have included gang violence such as shootings, murders, and witness intimidation. Multiple members have been convicted in federal court; at least six individuals have received sentences exceeding ten years’ imprisonment while one member was sentenced after trial to 32 years.
“United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today.”
“Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Brockton Police Department.”
“Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.”
