BOSTON, MA — A Brockton man associated with the Harvard Street Gang was sentenced Thursday in federal court for selling fentanyl to a cooperating witness while on probation and pretrial release.
Joshua Tavares, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy to 12 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.
In May 2025, Tavares pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and fentanyl analogue.
Tavares conducted six sales of fentanyl and fentanyl analogue to a cooperating witness from September to November 2024.
Over the course of the six transactions, Tavares sold approximately 549 grams of fentanyl analogue to a cooperating witness.
All of the transactions were captured on video recording.
At the time of the controlled purchases, Tavares was on probation for a 2019 fentanyl conviction and on pretrial release for a separate March 2024 drug arrest.
An arrest warrant and search warrants were executed on Dec. 3, 2024 at multiple residences and stash houses in Brockton.
During the searches, approximately four kilograms of suspected fentanyl, cocaine, packaging materials for distribution of controlled substances and over $89,000 in cash were recovered.
A .40 caliber Glock firearm and a 9mm Glock firearm with a machinegun conversion device were also located in the residence where Tavares was found.
A 9mm Glock firearm with a machinegun conversion device and a tactical laser sight was recovered from a stash location along with numerous rounds of ammunition and multiple loaded magazines, including a 50 round drum style magazine.
Machinegun conversion devices, commonly referred to as switches, are designed to convert firearms into fully automatic weapons.
In February, eight members and associates of the Harvard Street Gang were charged with drug and firearm offenses.
According to court documents, the Harvard Street Gang has been subject to federal investigation since 2019.
During this time, more than 20 leaders, members and associates of the gang have been charged with state and federal drug trafficking and firearm crimes.
Over 100 kilograms of drugs, including cocaine and fentanyl, and over 45 firearms, including multiple machine guns, have been seized.
According to court documents, the gang has been involved in gang violence, including shootings, murders and witness intimidation.
At least six defendants have been sentenced to 10 years or more in federal prison, and one member who was convicted after trial was sentenced to 32 years in prison.
