Island Resident With Gang Ties Pleads Guilty To Dealing Fentanyl And Cocaine
David Creed •
An island resident who was the target of a federal arrest warrant executed at a Hooper Farm Road residence last November pleaded guilty to two drug distribution charges in federal court last week. He was scheduled for sentencing in early 2026.
John Angel, 32, is an associate of the transnational criminal organization known as the 18th Street Gang, according to the United States Attorney’s Office District of Massachusetts. He pleaded guilty on November 6th to two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. United States District Judge Myong J. Joun scheduled his sentencing for Feb. 19th, 2026.
Angel has remained in federal custody since his arrest last November, according to Caroline Ferguson, of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Boston.
According to the prosecution’s press release announcing the plea, in March 2024 and July 2024, Angel met with a cooperating witness to sell narcotics. On March 27th, 2024, Angel directed the cooperating witness to meet him in East Boston, where he sold approximately 50 grams of powder fentanyl. Later, on July 10, 2024, Angel met the cooperating witness on Nantucket and sold more powder fentanyl together with a quantity of cocaine.
The charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge.
Angel was one of four residents arrested during the FBI raid. The other three – who were not the targets of the warrant and raid – have also had their matters resolved either through dismissal or plea deals.
Maicol Jose Baires Soriano, 32, of Nantucket had Nov. 21st, 2024 charges of possessing ammunition without an FID card and trafficking cocaine in an amount of 18 grams or more but less than 36 grams dismissed due to lack of prosecution back in September.
Victor A. Ramirez Valdivies, 33, of Nantucket and Carlos Arnulfo Vasquez Hernandez, 32, of Nantucket each had November 21st, 2024 charges of trafficking cocaine in an amount 18 grams or more but less than 36 grams amended down to possessing a Class B drug, and will have the charges continued without a finding for six months. Charges of possessing ammunition without an FID card stemming from the same incident were dismissed for each defendant.