Press Release  Three Individuals Indicted in Alleged Illegal Gun Exchange

Boston — Three individuals have been indicted this week in connection with illegally trading a firearm that led to an exchange for drugs, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

The three defendants were indicted Thursday by a Statewide Grand Jury on the following charges:

Paul F. Collins, 63, of Revere and Andrea J. Fazio, 27, of Framingham 

• Trafficking in Firearms (one count)
• Conspiracy to Traffick in Firearms (one count)
• Carrying a Firearm (one count)
• Possession of Ammunition (one count)

Carlos Santos, 26, of Framingham

• Carrying a Firearm (one count)
• Possession of Ammunition (one count)
• Possession with intent to distribute Class B (one count)
• Possession with intent to distribute Class E (two counts)
• Possession of Class B, Subsequent Offense (one count)

Collins was an Associate Probation Officer assigned to the Framingham District Court for eight years and allegedly had an extramarital affair with Fazio. Authorities allege that in May 2016, while not having either a valid Firearm Identification (“FID”) card or a License to Carry (“LTC”), Collins gave Fazio his loaded Berretta .25 caliber handgun. Authorities further allege that Fazio then traded that handgun to Santos in exchange for drugs. 

In May 2016, Santos was arrested by the Framingham Police Department, who found on Santos a number of drugs and the loaded handgun owned by Collins. Santos also did not have an FID or LTC.

The case was referred to the AG’s Office by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

These charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The defendants will be arraigned at a later date in Middlesex Superior Court.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Joshua Pakstis of AG Healey’s White Collar and Public Integrity Division with assistance from Victim Advocate Amber Anderson, the Framingham Police Department, and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office.

###