BOSTON, MA – A 20-year-old Boston man has confessed to his role in a brazen scheme to illegally acquire firearms, admitting guilt to federal charges of conspiracy and falsifying gun purchase records. Gustavo Rodriguez pleaded guilty today, facing a potential prison sentence for his involvement in a plot that allowed him to obtain weapons despite being legally prohibited from owning them.
According to court documents, from August to November 2022, Rodriguez conspired with Cory Daigle and Shakim Grant to circumvent gun laws. Daigle, a licensed firearms dealer (FFL), allegedly falsified records to conceal the true purchaser – Rodriguez – using Grant as a front. This elaborate deception allowed Rodriguez to acquire firearms he was otherwise barred from possessing.
The scheme involved creating false entries on legally required forms, effectively masking Rodriguez’s identity as the ultimate buyer. Investigators allege the trio even attempted to cover their tracks by providing misleading information to law enforcement when questioned about the suspicious transactions. This attempted cover-up further compounded their legal troubles.
Rodriguez now faces up to five years in prison on each of the two counts: conspiracy to make false statements in records required to be kept by an FFL, and aiding and abetting making false statements. He also faces a potential fine of $250,000 and one year of supervised release following his incarceration. Sentencing is scheduled for February 5, 2024, before U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin.
Shakim Grant previously pleaded guilty in May 2023 and is awaiting sentencing on December 18, 2023. Cory Daigle, however, maintains his innocence and is still pending trial. The investigation was a joint effort by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) Boston Field Division and the Boston Police Department, with assistance from the Revere Police Department.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy emphasized the seriousness of the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm is leading the prosecution. Readers are reminded that the details presented in the charging documents represent allegations, and Daigle remains presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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