Rafael Pina-Nieves, a convicted felon barred from owning weapons, stands accused of illegally possessing an arsenal of firearms and hundreds of rounds of live ammunition in Puerto Rico. A federal grand jury handed down the charges, marking a serious escalation in a case that reveals dangerous disregard for federal law.
The indictment, unsealed today in San Juan, details how on or about April 1, 2020, Pina-Nieves knowingly possessed a Glock Model 19, 9mm pistol and a Smith & Wesson Model SD40, .40 caliber handgun. Alongside the weapons, authorities say he held 526 rounds of live ammunition spanning seven different calibers — including rifle, shotgun, and high-capacity handgun rounds.
Most alarming, federal prosecutors allege the Glock was no ordinary sidearm. It had been illegally modified into a machine gun, capable of firing multiple rounds with a single trigger pull — a conversion that carries steep penalties under federal law. Such modifications are the hallmark of violent criminal enterprises and are strictly prohibited.
Pina-Nieves, already prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction punishable by more than one year in prison, now faces up to 10 years in federal prison for each count in the indictment. The charges underscore a pattern of defiance toward the justice system and public safety.
The investigation was jointly conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation — an unusual pairing that suggests potential financial ties or broader criminal activity under scrutiny. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward G. Veronda is leading the prosecution.
Pina-Nieves has agreed to surrender to federal authorities in Puerto Rico on August 14, 2020. The case serves as a stark reminder: while an indictment is not evidence of guilt, the weapons and modifications described in the charges pose a clear and present danger. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Key Facts
- State: Puerto Rico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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