An East Boston resident, Angel Negron, was indicted by a federal grand jury for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for possession of a machinegun, according to an April 24 announcement. Authorities allege that Negron had three privately made firearms (ghost guns), four machine gun conversion devices, a 3D printer, five magazines, and 31 privately made firearm receivers in his apartment following a search on March 31.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about illegal firearms and the use of untraceable weapons known as ghost guns. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts enforces federal laws through prosecutions of crimes including national security threats and civil rights violations, according to the official website.
According to charging documents, between January 14 and March 2 this year, Negron allegedly ordered nearly thirty firearm parts using his eBay account. On March 3 he reportedly submitted an online complaint to a firearm company about a malfunctioning trigger purchased from their eBay store; authorities say he included in that communication a photograph showing a firearm with a frame produced by a 3D printer.
Negron has prior convictions related to firearms: in 2007 he was found guilty in Suffolk Superior Court for possessing and carrying loaded firearms without proper licensing. He remains detained pending his next hearing scheduled for May 6. The charge of felon in possession of a firearm carries up to fifteen years imprisonment while the charge involving machineguns can result in up to ten years; both charges include potential fines up to $250,000 each.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley said: “The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.” Foley announced the indictment along with Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations New England; Jason Buckley, Acting Inspector at U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division; and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Robinson who is prosecuting.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office serves all residents across Massachusetts from its main office at John Joseph Moakley United States Federal Courthouse in Boston as well as branch offices located in Springfield and Worcester according to its official website. The office advances community initiatives on civil rights protection and violence prevention according to its official website, employs over two hundred attorneys along with paralegals and professional staff according to its official website, operates under the United States Department of Justice according to its official website, handles both criminal prosecutions as well as civil litigation matters throughout Massachusetts according to its official website, promotes public safety statewide through multiple offices since being established among America’s earliest such entities dating back to 1789 according to its official website.