Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Shipping Opioid to Federal Prisoner

Tuere Barnes faces up to 20 years in prison for sending buprenorphine strips to inmate at FCI Danbury

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Tuere Barnes, a 43-year-old man from Methuen, Massachusetts, has pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of providing contraband in prison. According to prosecutors, Barnes shipped a package containing 460 sublingual strips laced with the opioid medication buprenorphine to an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut in late January 2023.

Why it matters

The trafficking of controlled substances like buprenorphine into prisons is an ongoing challenge, as inmates can abuse these medications and potentially overdose. This case highlights the efforts of federal authorities to crack down on the smuggling of opioids and other illicit drugs into correctional facilities.

The details

Barnes faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for his role in shipping the buprenorphine strips to the federal inmate. Buprenorphine is an opioid medication used to treat opioid addiction, but it can also be abused for its euphoric effects. The sublingual strips are marketed under the brand name Suboxone, which was approved by the FDA in 2002.

  • In late January 2023, Barnes allegedly shipped the package containing the buprenorphine strips to the federal inmate.
  • On February 6, 2026, Barnes pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to one count of providing contraband in prison.

The players

Tuere Barnes

A 43-year-old man from Methuen, Massachusetts who pleaded guilty to shipping opioid medication to a federal prisoner.

Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury

The federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut where the inmate who received the buprenorphine strips was incarcerated.

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What’s next

Barnes is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday at 1 p.m. The judge will determine his final sentence, which could be up to 20 years in prison.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of controlling the flow of opioids and other illicit drugs into the prison system, where they can be abused by inmates and lead to dangerous health consequences. It underscores the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement and correctional authorities to combat this issue.