Shakim Grant, Firearm Trafficking, Massachusetts 2023

BOSTON, Massachusetts, January 2023 - Shakim Grant, a 21-year-old Boston man, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to illegally traffic and straw purchase firearms.

Grant pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to make false statements in records required to be kept by an FFL and one count of aiding and abetting making false statements in records required to be kept by an FFL. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for August 9, 2023.

Grant was initially charged by complaint on January 17, 2023, along with alleged co-conspirators Cory Daigle and Gustavo Rodriguez. He was subsequently charged by an Information on March 16, 2023.

From August 2022 through November 2022, Daigle and Rodriguez allegedly conspired to create false entries in records required to be maintained by Daigle, an FFL, in order to conceal the illegal sale of multiple firearms via Grant to Rodriguez, who could not lawfully purchase or possess firearms. Specifically, Grant and, allegedly, Daigle made and signed false representations on required forms to disguise Rodriguez’s identity as the true firearm purchaser.

Rodriguez is prohibited from possessing a firearm. It is further alleged that the defendants attempted to cover up the illegal straw purchase by providing false information to law enforcement.

The charge of conspiracy to make false statements in records required to be kept by an FFL provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aiding and abetting making false statements in records required to be kept by an FFL also provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of $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.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Revere Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/boston-man-pleads-guilty-firearm-trafficking-and-straw-purchasing-conspiracy