BOSTON – A Taunton man is facing serious time after admitting to illegally packing heat. Jermaine Rodrigues, 34, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm, a charge that carries a hefty potential sentence. The feds caught him red-handed with a dangerous collection, and now he’ll answer for it.
According to court documents, Rodrigues copped to one count of the offense before U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley. Kelley set sentencing for October 10, 2024. The case originated with a federal grand jury indictment in July 2023, stemming from a bust back in June 2022. This wasn’t a simple handgun; Rodrigues was holding two Anderson Manufacturing AM-15, .300 blackout rifles.
The arsenal didn’t stop there. One of the rifles was tricked out with a laser sight and optics mounted on top. And he wasn’t just admiring them – Rodrigues possessed nearly 100 rounds of .300 blackout ammunition, enough to cause serious damage. Investigators aren’t revealing how they initially flagged Rodrigues, but a source close to the investigation hinted at a prior run-in with local law enforcement.
The charge of being a felon in possession isn’t a slap on the wrist. Rodrigues is looking at up to 15 years behind bars, along with up to three years of supervised release after he gets out. He could also be hit with a fine of up to $250,000. The final sentence will be determined by Judge Kelley, taking into account federal sentencing guidelines and statutes.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Boston Field Division, jointly announced the guilty plea. They were backed by the Taunton and Fall River Police Departments, who provided “valuable assistance” during the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Luke A Goldworm and Meghan C. Cleary of the Major Crimes Unit are handling the prosecution.
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing gun violence. PSN focuses on building trust with communities, supporting local organizations, strategically prioritizing enforcement, and tracking results. You can find more information about PSN at Justice.gov/PSN. The message is clear: illegally possessing firearms will be aggressively prosecuted, and those who put our communities at risk will face the consequences.
Related Federal Cases
- Springfield Man Mark Alexander, 26, Pleads Guilty to Felon Firearm Possession · Massachusetts
- Williamstown Felon Griffen Jailed for Gun Sales · Massachusetts
- Boston Felon Busted with Loaded 9mm · Massachusetts
- Boston Man Sentenced to 3+ Years for Ammunition Possession as Felon · Massachusetts
- Fitchburg Felon Pridgen Pleads Guilty to Firearm Offense · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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