The founder and CEO of Adapt & Evolve LLC, a Boston-based non-profit that offers community re-entry support services, has been arrested and indicted on federal drug distribution charges. Javan Tooley, 36, from Dorchester and Brockton, Massachusetts, was charged by a federal grand jury on September 18 with distributing 28 grams or more of cocaine base. He was taken into custody on September 23 after his initial court appearance in Boston and is being held pending a hearing scheduled for September 26.
According to court filings, Tooley has a history of drug trafficking and other criminal activities. In 2010, he was convicted in U.S. District Court in Boston for distributing cocaine after selling crack cocaine to undercover law enforcement officers. He received a five-year prison sentence followed by five years of supervised release. After his release around 2015, he violated the terms of his supervision at least five times and served about an additional 22 months in prison.
Court documents also allege that Tooley recruited women—many struggling with substance abuse—to engage in commercial sex work for his financial gain and to distribute drugs for him. It is further alleged that he used violence against victims and created fear by claiming connections to law enforcement officials through his non-profit organization. Prosecutors say Tooley coordinated drug transactions using the non-profit’s phone line.
On September 10, authorities allege that Tooley distributed approximately 100 grams of crack cocaine near Fields Corner in Dorchester close to the Adapt & Evolve office. The sale reportedly took place inside his car while a young child was present in the back seat.
After this transaction, prosecutors say Tooley contacted a cooperating witness offering more crack cocaine for sale and arranged another meeting on September 23 near Roxbury District Court where he was arrested. At the time of arrest, authorities allegedly found about 160 grams of crack cocaine in his possession.
Because of his prior federal conviction for drug trafficking, Tooley faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years up to life imprisonment if convicted, as well as at least eight years of supervised release and up to $8 million in fines. Sentencing will be determined by a federal judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the indictment along with representatives from the FBI’s Boston Division; IRS Criminal Investigation; Massachusetts State Police; Boston Police Department; and Arlington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian A. Fogerty (Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit) and Christopher J. Pohl (Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit) are prosecuting the case.
“The details contained in the indictment are allegations,” according to officials involved with the announcement. “The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
