BOSTON – Edwin Alago, 42, of Framingham, Massachusetts, has confessed to federal authorities that he illegally possessed two firearms and ammunition, a move that could land him behind bars for the rest of his life. Alago pleaded guilty Monday to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, a charge stemming from a 2021 arrest and subsequent indictment in June of this year.
The bust originated with a SCCY .9mm CPX-2 semi-automatic pistol discovered in Alago’s possession back in May 2021. The weapon, authorities say, had its serial number deliberately defaced – an attempt to conceal its origins and muddy the trail. Alongside the pistol, investigators found seven rounds of .9mm ammunition. This discovery alone was enough to trigger federal scrutiny, given Alago’s extensive criminal history.
Alago’s past is checkered with felony convictions for drug distribution and possession, as well as assault with a dangerous weapon. These prior convictions explicitly prohibit him from legally owning or possessing any firearms. The fact that he was found with a defaced handgun and ammunition, while already a prohibited person, elevates the severity of the offense and directly links it to his ongoing involvement in drug trafficking, according to federal prosecutors.
U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper has scheduled Alago’s sentencing for March 12, 2024. He now faces a potential life sentence, with a mandatory minimum of five years imprisonment. In addition to jail time, Alago could be ordered to pay a fine of up to $250,000 and serve up to five years of supervised release following his incarceration. The final sentence will be determined by Judge Casper, taking into account U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant federal statutes.
The case was jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) Boston Field Division, along with the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office and the Framingham Police Department. Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy and ATF Special Agent in Charge James M. Ferguson announced the guilty plea, highlighting the collaborative effort to remove dangerous individuals and illegal weapons from the streets.
This prosecution falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive program designed to reduce violent crime and gun violence nationwide. The Department of Justice recently reinforced PSN with a renewed focus on building trust with communities, supporting local violence prevention organizations, and strategically prioritizing enforcement efforts. The goal? To make neighborhoods safer, one arrest at a time. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan C. Cleary and Brian Sullivan of the Major Crimes Unit are handling the prosecution.
Related Federal Cases
- Edwin Labaw, Felon in Possession of Firearms, MA 2017 · Massachusetts
- Dominick Bailey, Illegal Firearms Possession, Boston MA, 2023 · Vermont
- Ronald Andruchuk, Illegal Firearms Possession, Burrillville RI, 2023 · Massachusetts
- Donnell Pina, Felon in Possession of Firearms, Massachusetts 2025 · Massachusetts
- James Johnson, Possession of Firearms, Missouri 2022 · Connecticut
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
WeaponsWeaponsWeaponsWeapons