Saugus Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Firearm Offenses

 BOSTON – A Saugus man pleaded guilty yesterday to drug and firearm offenses.

Vinicius Teixeira, a/k/a “Vinny,” 31, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, including marijuana and psilocyn, and being a user of controlled substances in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Oct. 25, 2021. Teixeira was indicted in April 2019.

In March 2019, a search of Teixeira’s residence recovered at least one kilogram of marijuana, over 400 grams of mushrooms (dry) containing psilocyn, drug trafficking paraphernalia and an American Tactical 9mm semiautomatic pistol containing 11 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances 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. The charge of being a user of controlled substances in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three 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 other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department and the Revere, Everett and Chelsea Police Departments provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Corey Steinberg and Kaitlin R. O’Donnell of Mendell’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.