BOSTON— A Nantucket man linked to the notorious 18th Street Gang has thrown in the towel, pleading guilty to serious drug charges. John Angel, 32, admitted to distributing a lethal mix of fentanyl and cocaine, according to federal authorities.

During two separate transactions with a cooperating witness, Angel allegedly sold over 50 grams of powder fentanyl. The first deal occurred on March 27, 2024, in East Boston, followed by another sale on July 10, 2024, on Nantucket itself. These drug deals have drawn significant scrutiny, as fentanyl continues to wreak havoc across the nation.

The stakes are high for Angel, who faces a maximum of 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on February 19, 2026. In addition to the prison time, he could be slapped with a fine of up to $1 million and a lifetime of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley spearheaded the case, with valuable assistance from numerous agencies including the FBI and Massachusetts State Police. This operation was part of a larger Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces initiative aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations threatening public safety.

As the fentanyl crisis grips communities, Angel's guilty plea serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in Massachusetts.