Crime

DA: ‘Major player’ in Mass. and Cass drug market gets prison time

Keon Leary, 45, was sentenced to serve 9 to 10 years in prison.

February 19, 2025

1 minute to read

A Boston man described by prosecutors as a “major player” in the drug market in the area of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard was sentenced Tuesday to serve 9 to 10 years in prison.

Keon Leary, 45, was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to a series of charges, including carrying a firearm without license — a third offense, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, and cocaine and fentanyl trafficking, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office said in a statement on Wednesday. He entered his guilty plea just before jury selection in his trial was set to begin.

Leary was arrested on Aug. 12, 2022 by Boston police conducting a “buy and bust” operation in the area of Mass. and Cass, prosecutors said. Police headed to the area for the operation after hearing reports that Leary was frequently parking and selling drugs in the area of Hope House, which provides residential and outpatient addiction treatment services.

Leary was arrested after officers observed him involved in a drug transaction on the corner of Gerard Street, and prosecutors said two backpacks containing 248.18 grams of cocaine, 22.22 grams of fentanyl, 15.57 grams of fluorofentanyl, and .43 grams of valerylfentanyl were seized. A gun and more than $8,000 in cash were also recovered.

Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said a tip from the community assisted in Leary’s arrest.

“Keon Leary has been a major player in the Mass and Cass drug market for years, and I’m incredibly grateful for assistance from the community that led to his arrest and conviction,” Hayden said in a statement.

Leary will receive 473 days credit towards his sentence for the time he spent in jail as the case was pending, according to The Boston Globe. He will also be on probation for three years after his prison sentence is served.