Ruben Joel Sanchez Jr. Arrested for Firearms Dealing in Massachusetts

An Ohio man has been arrested and charged in connection with multiple sales of firearms transported from Ohio to Massachusetts. Ruben Joel Sanchez Jr., 31, was charged with one count of engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

Sanchez made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston on Jan. 9, 2026, according to charging documents. The documents state that beginning at least as early as June 2025 through January 2026, Sanchez engaged in the business of unlawful trafficking in firearms.

On June 2025, Sanchez, who is not licensed to deal in firearms, sold three firearms to an individual in exchange for $4,000. On Jan. 8, 2026, Sanchez was recorded and observed selling four additional firearms to the same individual in return for $8,500.

During the arrest, an AR-style pistol equipped with a loaded, 100-round drum; a rifle equipped with a loaded, 100-round drum; a loaded pistol equipped with an extended magazine; and an additional loaded pistol were recovered.

Ruben Joel Sanchez Jr. faces a charge of felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, which provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. He also faces a charge of unlawful trafficking in firearms, which provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julissa Walsh of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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.

Sanchez’s arrest is a significant blow to those involved in gun trafficking in Massachusetts. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle these operations.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Weapons

James Michael Olshefskie, Ammunition and Unregistered Firearm Silencers, Florida 2025

May 11, 2026

Weapons

Isaiah Beck, Unregistered Firearm and Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, South Dakota 2022

Jan 25, 2023

Weapons

Tredell Long Crow, Larceny & Gun Possession, South Dakota 2024

Apr 8, 2026

Weapons

Anthony Prisco, Trafficking Machine Guns, Illinois 2023

Apr 9, 2026