John Angel, a Nantucket resident and associate of the 18th Street Gang, was sentenced on March 6 in federal court in Boston to two years in prison for drug distribution charges.
Angel, 32, will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. He pleaded guilty in November 2025 to two counts of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.
According to court records, between March and July 2024, Angel met with a cooperating witness three times to sell approximately 117 grams of fentanyl, 28 grams of cocaine, and a Glock 9mm semi-automatic handgun for over $7,000. On March 27, he directed the witness to meet him in East Boston where he sold about 50 grams of powder fentanyl. Later that year on July 10, Angel met the witness on Nantucket and sold more fentanyl along with cocaine. During these transactions, Angel claimed connections within the gang and displayed large quantities of drugs. At one meeting he also sold a handgun and offered access to machinegun conversion devices.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years up to lifetime supervised release, and a fine up to $1 million. Sentences are determined by federal judges based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the sentencing along with officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. The case received assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies across Massachusetts.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159. The task force aims to eliminate criminal cartels and transnational organizations operating within the United States through interagency collaboration.