Luis Rivera, Felon in Possession of Ammunition, Massachusetts 2024

EVERETT, MA – A hail of gunfire ripped through a quiet Everett neighborhood in January 2022, and now one of the shooters is facing serious time. Luis Rivera, 26, of Medford, was sentenced to five years in prison and three years of supervised release on March 29, 2024, after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition.

The shooting, which occurred on January 2, 2022, saw three individuals unleash over 20 shots in a residential area. Stray bullets slammed into multiple homes, narrowly missing residents. Investigators quickly zeroed in on Rivera as one of the perpetrators. The problem? Rivera was already a convicted felon, legally barred from owning or possessing any firearms or ammunition.

According to court documents, the reckless discharge of firearms created a dangerous situation for the families living in the area. While no injuries were reported, the potential for tragedy was immense. The ATF’s Boston Field Division, alongside the Everett and Chelsea Police Departments, worked tirelessly to connect Rivera to the ammunition used in the shooting.

U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani handed down the five-year sentence, acknowledging the severity of the crime and the danger posed by Rivera’s actions. The sentence sends a clear message that illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, especially after a prior conviction, will not be tolerated.

“This case underscores the ATF’s commitment to reducing gun violence and holding accountable those who put our communities at risk,” said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division. Everett Police Chief Steven A. Mazzie and Chelsea Police Chief Keith Houghton echoed the sentiment, praising the collaborative effort that led to Rivera’s conviction.

The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Hoefle of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit, under the direction of Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. Rivera’s five-year sentence is a stark reminder that a criminal history doesn’t erase the potential for further violence, and federal authorities are prepared to pursue these cases to the fullest extent of the law.”

Related Federal Cases