A Nashua, New Hampshire man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to trafficking nine firearms, including two semiautomatic rifles, into Massachusetts over a period of just over one month.
Dennis T. Michaud, Jr., 23, admitted to one count of trafficking in firearms. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for April 28, 2026. Michaud was arrested and charged in March 2025.
According to court documents, Michaud was identified as an illegal firearms dealer beginning around February 2025. Undercover law enforcement officers contacted him through Snapchat between February 7 and February 11, 2025, to arrange the purchase of a semiautomatic rifle. During these communications, Michaud indicated he was based in New Hampshire but could bring the firearm into Massachusetts.
On February 11, 2025, Michaud met with a confidential source working with law enforcement in Pepperell, Massachusetts. At that meeting, he provided a Good Time Outdoors CXV Core 15 .223/5.56 caliber semiautomatic rifle and a 30-round magazine for $900.
A week later on February 18, Michaud agreed to sell three more firearms: a Taurus Raging Hunter .454 Casull Revolver with ammunition; a Rossi Interarms M68 .38 Special Revolver with ammunition; and a Walther PPS 9mm Pistol with magazines and accessories. The exchange took place at an agreed location in Pepperell for $2,100.
On February 27, Michaud arranged another sale involving two additional firearms: a Radical Firearms RF-15 .223/5.56 caliber semiautomatic short-barreled rifle with a high-capacity magazine and a Sig Sauer P227 Equinox .45 caliber pistol with its own magazine. During this transaction he told the confidential source that possessing the short-barreled rifle would amount to “three felonies” because of its stock and magazine.
The final transaction occurred on March 20 when Michaud sold three more firearms—namely a Century Arms AK Rifle (7.62x39mm), Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm Pistol, and Taurus PT-22 .22 caliber Pistol—along with magazines and ammunition for $2,250. He was taken into custody immediately after this sale.
Authorities confirmed that Michaud does not hold a federal firearms license.
The charge carries up to fifteen years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and fines reaching $250,000. Sentencing will be determined by the federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley stated: “United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement.” She added that assistance came from several agencies including the Massachusetts State Police as well as police departments from Nashua (N.H.), Worcester and Pepperell.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Gonzalez Sanchez from the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.