Lynn Man Sentenced to Over 12 Years in Prison for Counterfeit Pill Trafficking Conspiracy

BOSTON - A Lynn man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a North Shore-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) that distributed tens of thousands of counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Lawrence Nagle Sr. (Nagle Sr.), 56, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 151 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. In April 2024, Nagle pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Nagle Sr.'s two sons, Christopher Nagle and Lawrence Michael Nagle, were allegedly identified as leaders of a DTO distributing various controlled substances throughout the North Shore region of Massachusetts. The Nagle DTO distributed significant quantities of various controlled substances, including, Adderall (both pharmaceutical-grade pills and counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine), methamphetamine, Xanax, oxycodone (both pharmaceutical-grade and counterfeit pills containing fentanyl), cocaine and marijuana, among others.

Lawrence Michael Nagle allegedly distributed controlled substances to a small network of individuals who would then redistribute the drugs to other traffickers.

The investigation revealed that Nagle Sr. was a member of the DTO, allegedly distributing controlled substances on his sons' behalf and storing substantial quantities of controlled substances at his residence. On Oct. 25, 2024, investigators searched Nagle Sr.'s residence and recovered 5.9 kilograms of fentanyl, including counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl; 1.3 kilograms of methamphetamine, including counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine; and one kilogram of cocaine. Investigators also recovered three firearms, including the long-barreled firearm depicted below.

Christopher Nagle pleaded guilty to his role in the drug trafficking conspiracy in April 2024 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 13, 2024. Lawrence Michael Nagle has pleaded not guilty and is pending trial.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; and John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Essex County District Attorney's Office, and the Beverly, Everett, Lynn, Peabody, Revere, Salem, Saugus and Swampscott Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan D. Panich of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.