Traveyon Richardson, Straw Purchase & Trafficking, Massachusetts 2024

BOSTON, MA – A shocking case of firearms trafficking has come to light in Massachusetts, as Traveyon Richardson, 26, of Bangor, Maine pleaded guilty to conspiring to straw purchase firearms and trafficking firearms in the state. The crime took place in September 2022, when Richardson’s co-conspirator, Breon Stroup, allegedly used Snapchat to ask Richardson to purchase two specific firearms for him in Maine, where Richardson resides.

According to the allegations, the following day, Stroup sent Richardson a Cash App money transfer, and Richardson purchased the firearms online. Richardson then picked up the firearms from the federal firearm license dealer and drove the firearms to Massachusetts in October 2022. This brazen act of firearms trafficking has raised concerns about the ease with which firearms can be transported across state lines.

The charge of conspiracy to straw purchase firearms provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of trafficking of firearms also provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years 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.

Richardson’s co-conspirator, Breon Stroup, remains at large, and it is unclear whether he will be apprehended. The investigation into this case was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division, with valuable assistance provided by the Fall River Police Department and the Maine State Police.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lucy Sun and Timothy E. Moran of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit are prosecuting the case, with Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy making the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Fall River Police Department and the Maine State Police.

Richardson, 26, of Bangor, Maine, is currently facing sentencing on July 10, 2024. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 for each charge. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations, and Richardson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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