Source: Office of United States Attorneys
BOSTON – A Springfield, Mass. man pleaded guilty today in federal court to drug and gun offenses.
JoPaul McKreith, 46, pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine; aiding and abetting and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; aiding and abetting; felon in possession of a firearm; possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes; and unlawful possession of a machinegun. U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun scheduled sentencing for April 1, 2025. McKreith was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 16, 2024.
McKreith possessed with the intent to distribute drugs between March 15 and May 2, 2024. McKreith also possessed a machine gun and ammunition on May 2, 2024, after previously being convicted of a felony.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of possession of an interstate firearm and ammunition by a felon provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of a machine gun provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking felony provides for a sentence of at least five years up to life which must be consecutive to any sentence imposed on any other count, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.