BOSTON – Two previously convicted felons have been charged with illegally possessing ammunition in connection with a January shooting in a residential neighborhood of Everett.
Luis Rivera, 25, of Medford, and Kenneth Munoz, 24, of Revere, were charged with one count each of being a felon in possession of ammunition. Rivera was arrested this morning and, following an initial appearance today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell, Rivera was detained pending a detention hearing which is scheduled for July 6, 2022. Munoz is currently in state custody on unrelated state firearms charges and will appear in federal court at a later date.
“Gun violence continues to plague and hurt our communities,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “These defendants, each prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to prior criminal convictions, are alleged to have recklessly fired shots in the middle of the day in a residential neighborhood, striking numerous homes. It is sheer luck that no one was harmed or killed as a result of their alleged reckless and violent conduct. Gun violence poses a real threat to our community. There is only one use for ammunition. One. Accordingly, we will prosecute prohibited individuals.”
“The ATF values the partnership we have with our local, state and federal partners to target violent offenders,” said James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division. “These individuals put the lives of everyday citizens at risk, and we will work diligently to combat these senseless acts of violence.”
According to the charging document, on the afternoon of Jan. 2, 2022, three individuals fired over 20 shots in an Everett neighborhood causing ballistic damage in the surrounding area, including bullet holes inside of bedrooms and living rooms in surrounding residences. The shooting was captured on video surveillance from nearby residences. Rivera and Munoz were allegedly identified as two of the shooters in the surveillance footage. Both men are prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to prior convictions.
The charge of being a felon in possession of ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
U.S. Attorney Rollins, ATF SAC Ferguson, Everett Police Chief Steven A. Mazzie and Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Hoefle of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.