BOSTON, MA – Jason Lebberes, 31, of Tuckahoe, New York, is headed to federal prison for over a decade after being convicted of trafficking firearms and methamphetamine. Judge Patti B. Saris sentenced Lebberes to 121 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release yesterday, capping a case that exposed a dangerous pipeline of drugs and weapons flowing into the region.
According to court documents, Lebberes pleaded guilty in October 2023 to one count of distributing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, one count of transferring a firearm to an out-of-state resident, and one count of transferring a machinegun. The investigation revealed Lebberes wasn’t just moving product; he was dealing in high-risk weaponry, including a privately manufactured firearm – a so-called “ghost gun” – and a Glock switch, a device that turns a handgun into an automatic weapon.
“Drugs and guns are a deadly combination,” stated Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Office. “As methamphetamine seizures rise, DEA stands committed to keeping this highly addictive drug off the streets.” Federal authorities also discovered that Lebberes had a history of selling Glock switches to other customers, indicating a pattern of supplying illegal modifications capable of turning ordinary handguns into fully automatic firearms.
The bust wasn’t limited to what Lebberes sold. A search of his Tuckahoe residence turned up a treasure trove of illegal firearms and ammunition, including numerous handguns and assault rifles, many of which were also privately manufactured. Investigators even recovered a video showing Lebberes firing a handgun from his car window – a reckless act that highlighted his disregard for public safety.
“Jason Lebberes’ sentence of 121 months should serve as a warning to those who intend to misuse the U.S. Mail for their criminal activity,” said Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The case underscores the growing use of the postal service to facilitate illegal trafficking, prompting increased scrutiny and interagency cooperation. James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, added, “The assembly of a ghost gun and ‘Glock switch’ into a fully functioning, automatic weapon posed a serious threat to our communities.”
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the ATF, DEA, USPS, and the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit successfully prosecuted the case. The hefty sentence sends a clear message: those who profit from the deadly combination of drugs and firearms will face serious consequences.
Related Federal Cases
- Ana Maria Hernandez, Heroin Trafficking, Boston MA, 2023 · Massachusetts
- Scott Liff, Gun-for-Crack Cocaine Trafficking, CT 2024 · Connecticut
- Letitia James Denounces Delay of SNAP Benefits, Boston MA, 2023 · Illinois
- Landon Eckles, Healthcare Scam, Boston MA, 2023 · Massachusetts
- Elmostafa Charif, Designer Drug Trafficking, New Jersey 2024 · Illinois
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
