A Worcester man, Joshua Guzman, was charged on Apr. 17 with assaulting a federal confidential informant using a dangerous weapon during a planned firearm transaction in connection with an armed robbery.
The case is significant because it involves violence against someone assisting federal officers and highlights ongoing efforts to address violent crime. According to the charging documents, Guzman, 18, and another individual allegedly arranged the sale of a firearm to a federal informant through WhatsApp messages beginning on Feb. 18. The parties met in Worcester on Feb. 25 to complete the deal.
Authorities allege that after exchanging money for a gun inside the informant’s vehicle, Guzman drew another firearm from his waistband, pointed it at the informant while making threats, struck him in the head with the weapon, and took back both firearms before fleeing. Surveillance agents monitoring nearby were alerted immediately by the informant. Law enforcement apprehended Guzman after a brief pursuit during which he dropped a firearm that was recovered by officers. The second suspect was arrested shortly afterward; police also recovered clothing, a cellphone and about $1,600 believed to be proceeds from the robbery.
Guzman faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of assaulting someone assisting federal officers with a dangerous weapon. Sentencing will be determined by guidelines set forth for such cases.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas Greco of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives announced these charges and credited assistance from local police agencies as well as prosecution by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Stendig.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America under joint Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security leadership through Boston’s Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF). HSTFs were established by executive order as joint operations designed to combat illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations nationwide.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts advances community initiatives on civil rights and violence prevention according to its official website. The office operates out of facilities including Boston’s John Joseph Moakley United States Federal Courthouse as well as branch offices in Springfield and Worcester according to its official website. It serves all residents across Massachusetts according to its official website while enforcing federal laws related to national security threats and civil rights violations according to its official website.
With over 200 attorneys, paralegals and professional staff employed according to its official website, this office prosecutes crimes at both state-wide offices promoting public safety since its founding in 1789 according to its official website. It remains part of the United States Department of Justice according to its official website handling prosecutions for both criminal cases and civil litigation involving federal law.