BOSTON – A Lowell woman was arrested on July 29, 2022 for allegedly trafficking firearms without a license.
Leticia Alcantara, 25, was charged with one count of dealing in firearms without a license. Alcantara will appear in federal court in Boston this afternoon.
“Illegal firearms trafficking stokes violent crime trends and poses a very real threat to the safety our communities,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “We believe Ms. Alcantara contributed to this violent threat through regular sales offers for numerous firearms, including an AR-15 rifle. She held no license and was ready to sell firearms that could have gone to prohibited individuals. This is dangerous and could have resulted in significant violence and harm. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those engaged in illegal firearms trafficking.”
According to the charging document, law enforcement opened an investigation in October 2021 into firearms trafficking in Massachusetts and identified Alcantara as an alleged firearms dealer. On Feb. 15, 2022, Alcantara allegedly offered to sell a 9mm handgun to two individuals who, unbeknownst to her, were cooperating with law enforcement. It is alleged that, on March 15, 2022, Alcantara met with the cooperating witnesses at a prearranged meeting location in a parking lot in Falmouth to conduct the transaction. There, Alcantara was observed entering the vehicle occupied by the cooperating witnesses and allegedly produced a black trash bag from her purse that contained the firearm.
It is further alleged that, on multiple occasions in July 2022, Alcantara communicated with one of the cooperating witnesses regarding additional firearms she was offering for sale, including sending photos of: a 9mm handgun on July 2, 2022; a small holster-grip revolver and one large black pistol on July 7, 2022; and two handguns on July 9, 2022. At the direction of law enforcement, the cooperating witness agreed to purchase the last two handguns Alcantara offered for sale. On July 12, 2022, Alcantara met with the cooperating witnesses during a controlled purchase in Plymouth. There, Alcantara was observed entering the vehicle and allegedly produced one .45 caliber pistol and one 9mm pistol from a dark colored bag.
On July 12, 2022, Alcantara sent additional photos of two firearms for sale which, at the direction of law enforcement, the cooperating witness agreed to purchase. On July 19, 2022, Alcantara arrived at the same prearranged meeting location in Plymouth where she allegedly entered the cooperating witnesses’ vehicle and provided two 9mm pistols. Following the transaction, Alcantara allegedly continued communicating with the cooperating witness about additional firearms for sale, including a handgun and an AR-15 rifle.
The charge of dealing in firearms without a license provides for a sentence of up to five 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 and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Plymouth and Falmouth Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Dell’Anno of Rollins’ Major Crime Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.