Alexis Lara Herrera, Firearm Smuggling, Massachusetts 2023

BOSTON MAN ARRESTED ON FIREARM SMUGGLING CHARGES – Alexis Lara Herrera, 26, a Boston man, is facing serious charges after allegedly smuggling firearms from the United States to the Dominican Republic.

Herrera was arrested and charged last week in federal court in Boston with one count of smuggling goods from the United States; aiding and abetting. He pleaded not guilty and is currently being held in federal custody pending trial.

The alleged crimes took place on March 18, 2023, when local law enforcement in the Port of Haina in the Dominican Republic conducted security examinations of international freight in the port. A shipping container from Brooklyn, New York, was searched and found to contain four Glock firearms and 500 rounds of ammunition inside an air conditioner.

Further investigation revealed that the shipping container originated in Boston. According to the charging documents, Herrera allegedly purchased the firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers and was in communication with multiple co-conspirators throughout the shipment.

A search of his phone allegedly showed his engagement in firearms smuggling, including texts and a photo of multiple guns. Additional evidence recovered from the forensics of Herrera’s cell phone indicated that he allegedly discussed numerous shipments of firearms to the Dominican Republic, including one in June of 2023 after authorities seized this shipment.

The charge of smuggling goods from the United States; aiding and abetting provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, 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.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, in New England, and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke Goldworm of the Major Crimes 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.

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