Leticia Alcantara, Trafficking Firearms, Massachusetts 2022

A 25-year-old Lowell woman was arrested on July 29, 2022 for allegedly trafficking firearms without a license.

Leticia Alcantara, 25, was charged with one count of dealing in firearms without a license. Following an initial appearance on July 29, 2022 before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal, Alcantara was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for August 3, 2022.

"Illegal firearms trafficking stokes violent crime trends and poses a very real threat to the safety our communities," said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. "We believe Ms. Alcantara contributed to this violent threat through regular sales offers for numerous firearms, including an AR-15 rifle. She held no license and was ready to sell firearms that could have gone to prohibited individuals. This is dangerous and could have resulted in significant violence and harm. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those engaged in illegal firearms trafficking."

According to the charging document, law enforcement opened an investigation in October 2021 into firearms trafficking in Massachusetts and identified Alcantara as an alleged firearms dealer.

The charge of dealing in firearms without a license provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Rollins and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Plymouth and Falmouth Police Departments.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/lowell-woman-arrested-trafficking-firearms