Carmito Martinez, Illegally Possessing Firearm and Ammunition, Massachusetts 2017

BOSTON - In a shocking turn of events, Carmito Martinez, a 26-year-old Dominican national, was sentenced to 16 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition in Massachusetts.

On August 31, 2017, deportation officers paid a visit to Martinez's last known address in Roslindale to take him into custody for deportation purposes. However, things took a dramatic turn when Martinez exited the house, was ordered to stop and show his hands, and proceeded to remove a dark-colored object from his waistband, throw it behind a fence, and take off running.

After Martinez was apprehended, the object he had thrown was located and determined to be a Smith and Wesson Model 422 .22 caliber long rifle. The weapon had one round in the chamber and seven rounds in the magazine, and the safety was not engaged. Further investigation revealed that the recovered weapon had been stolen.

This is a stark reminder of the risks associated with illegal firearm possession. As a foreign national, Martinez was not authorized to possess a firearm or ammunition. His actions put himself and others at risk, and he will now face the consequences.

Martinez pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by an alien unlawfully present in the United States in October 2018. He will face deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Peter C. Fitzhugh made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

The sentencing of Carmito Martinez serves as a warning to others who may be considering similar actions. It is never worth the risk to break the law and put yourself and others in harm's way.

For more information, please contact the U.S. Attorney's Office at [phone number] or visit their website at [website URL].

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/dominican-national-sentenced-illegally-possessing-firearm-and-ammunition