Leticia Alcantara, Selling Firearms, Massachusetts 2022

Lowell Woman Pleads Guilty to Selling Firearms in Massachusetts

Leticia Alcantara, 25, of Lowell, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to selling firearms to a prohibited person, announced United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division.

Alcantara was charged on August 1, 2022, with one count of selling or transferring firearms to a prohibited person. U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley scheduled sentencing for June 5, 2023.

An investigation began in October 2021, which identified Alcantara as a firearms dealer in Massachusetts. On February 15, 2022, Alcantara offered to sell a 9mm handgun to two individuals who, unbeknownst to her, were cooperating with law enforcement. On March 15, 2022, Alcantara met with the cooperating witnesses at a prearranged meeting location in a parking lot in Falmouth to conduct the transaction. There, Alcantara was observed entering the vehicle occupied by the cooperating witnesses and produced a black trash bag from her purse containing the firearm.

On multiple occasions in July 2022, Alcantara communicated with one of the cooperating witnesses regarding additional firearms she was offering for sale, including sending photos of: a 9mm handgun on July 2, 2022; a small holster-grip revolver and one large black pistol on July 7, 2022; and two handguns on July 9, 2022. At the direction of law enforcement, the cooperating witness agreed to purchase the last two handguns Alcantara offered for sale. On July 12, 2022, Alcantara met with the cooperating witnesses during a controlled purchase in Plymouth. There, Alcantara was observed entering the vehicle and producing one .45 caliber pistol and one 9mm pistol from a dark colored bag.

Alcantara was arrested on July 29, 2022. The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Plymouth and Falmouth Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Dell’Anno of Rollins’ Major Crime Unit is prosecuting the case.

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