Boston – A Southbridge, Massachusetts man has pleaded guilty to illegally shipping hundreds of firearm parts to people in 22 countries, including France, Finland, Indonesia, New Zealand, Thailand, Spain, Australia, and Germany.
David L. Maricola, 60, of Southbridge, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to a 32-count indictment charging him with conspiracy, illegally exporting defense articles, making false statements on customs forms, and money laundering.
In 2015, Maricola and Arto Laatikanien, a 32-year-old Finnish citizen, were indicted in connection with illegally exporting hundreds of assault rifle and firearm components, including parts for M16, M4, AR-15 assault rifles, Glock pistols, and UZI submachine guns.
Between November 2010 and March 2012, Maricola shipped more than $100,000 worth of firearm components to Laatikainen in Finland through the U.S. Postal Service.
At today’s hearing, Maricola admitted to illegally exporting and conspiring to illegally export hundreds of firearm parts overseas using the Postal Service, lying on customs declaration forms about the contents and value of the articles he was sending, and money laundering.
Maricola acknowledged that he had obtained many of the parts he illegally exported overseas from Gunbroker.com, an auction-type website, and instructed his customers to send money to him using PayPal.
The charges of illegally exporting defense articles and money laundering each provide for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison. The charges of conspiracy and making false statements each provide for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison.
U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for June 30, 2016.
Related Federal Cases
- David Poirier, Theft of a Firearm from a Licensed Firearms Dealer, Massachusetts 2020 · Connecticut
- Kobe Smith, Conspiracy to Illegally Transport Firearms, Massachusetts 2024 · Alabama
- Edward Gale, Ghost Guns & Machinegun Parts, Massachusetts 2024 · Florida
- Jahquel Pringle, Conspiracy to Illegally Transport Firearms, Massachusetts 2020 · Alabama
- Satron Pridgen, Firearm Assault, Massachusetts 2023 · Illinois
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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