BOSTON – A Quincy man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston with being a felon in possession of a firearm and distribution of and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Joseph King, 48, is charged with one count of felon in possession of a firearm and four counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. King was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in August 2026. He remains in federal custody. According to the charging documents, on four occasions in June, July and August 2026, King sold a controlled substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine to an undercover federal agent. Additionally, on Aug. 11, 2026, King allegedly purchased two firearms – a Glock 19M, 9mm pistol and a Glock 27, .40 caliber pistol – from an undercover agent. King is prohibited from possessing firearms due to several prior state court convictions, including a 2025 conviction for breaking and entering in Taunton District Court and a 2009 conviction for larceny in Quincy District Court, among other convictions.
The charge of being a felon in possession provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance provides for a sentence of up to 20 years, three years supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas A. Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department; and the Boston and Quincy Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorney Allegra Flamm of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.