A Brockton man with a prior manslaughter conviction was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Andre McNeil, 35, received the sentence from U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris and will also serve four years of supervised release.
McNeil pleaded guilty in April 2025 to one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2024.
Law enforcement executed searches on February 2, 2024, targeting McNeil’s vehicle and several residences connected to him. Authorities seized about 31 grams of cocaine, three handguns, two high-capacity magazines, five additional magazines, approximately 101 rounds of 9mm ammunition, $17,406 in cash, and multiple cell phones. Items typically used for drug trafficking—including scales, a money counter, baggies, and a drug ledger—were also recovered.
Due to his previous conviction for manslaughter in Suffolk Superior Court in 2014—stemming from the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old outside a Roxbury high school—McNeil is barred from possessing firearms. He served more than twelve years in state prison for that offense.
“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, Foxboro and Taunton Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Dawley of the Organized Crime and Gang Unit prosecuted the case.”
The prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that coordinates law enforcement agencies at all levels with community organizations to address gun violence and violent crime nationwide. The Department’s strategy for PSN focuses on building trust within communities, supporting prevention efforts through local organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement actions, and evaluating results. More information about Project Safe Neighborhoods can be found at Justice.gov/PSN.
