Newton Man Who Was Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty To Drug, Gun Charges

BOSTON, MA — A Newton man, who was a previously convicted felon, pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to cocaine distribution charges and firearms offenses, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts announced.

Shawn Craig, 38, pleaded guilty to three counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine and one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.

Craig was charged with these crimes in January 2022 and sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 18.

According to court records, Craig coordinated drug transactions with an undercover agent on three occasions in 2022 —Sept. 12, Oct. 20, and Oct. 26 — each time providing cocaine in exchange for cash.

Authorities said that prior to the third meeting, on Oct. 26, Craig sent the undercover agent an image of a firearm and said he could sell the firearm to the agent.

During the meeting that day, Craig provided the agent with a firearm, ammunition and a quantity of cocaine, authorities said.

Court records show that at the time of these meetings, Craig was on federal supervised release for a 2014 federal conviction for possessing a stolen firearm and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

According to authorities, Craig was sentenced to seven years in prison and three years of supervised release in that 2014 case.