Somerville Man Pleads Guilty To Illegal Drug, Firearm Possession

SOMERVILLE, MA — A Somerville man pleaded guilty Monday in connection with distributing and possessing fentanyl while illegally in possession of a loaded firearm, according to U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins.

Tevon Ngomba, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, one count of possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, prosecutors said.

Ngomba was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2020 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 1, 2023.

On July 16, 2020, less than two months following his release from state prison, prosecutors say Ngomba distributed more than 40 grams of fentanyl to an individual in exchange for $1,800 in a recorded drug transaction.

Several months later on Aug. 3, Ngomba purported to sell a loaded firearm to the same individual in exchange for $1,500 in another recorded transaction. However, during the deal, which occurred in the individual’s vehicle, Ngomba loaded the firearm and pretended to leave it under the driver’s seat before exiting the vehicle. Instead, he allegedly took both the $1,500 cash from the individual as well as the firearm he had pretended to sell without realizing that he accidentally left his cellphone in the individual’s vehicle.

Prosecutors said Ngomba preceded to chase down the vehicle but was immediately caught by law enforcement. Police said he was still clutching the $1,500 in his hand.

During a subsequent search of Ngomba’s vehicle, investigators found a loaded Ruger firearm with an obliterated serial number in the trunk, as well as 16 grams of fentanyl and a second cellphone containing drug-related communications in the glove compartment.

The cellphone Ngomba left in the individual’s car was also found to contain images from the night before of Ngomba posing with what appeared to be the same firearm found in his vehicle, prosecutors said.

Ngomba faces up to 70 years in prison, 10 years of supervised released, and a fine of $6.25 million.