William Mejia, Gun Store Conspiracy, New Hampshire 2023

CONCORD, NH – A 20-year-old Lawrence, Massachusetts man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a brazen scheme to steal firearms from multiple gun stores across New Hampshire. William Mejia received a 30-month sentence and 2 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiring to steal firearms from a federal firearms licensee. The case highlights a growing trend of out-of-state crews targeting New Hampshire’s relatively lax gun laws.

According to court documents, Mejia, along with co-defendants Johariel Quezada and Ethan Ayala, systematically targeted three separate gun stores between August 29, 2021, and October 4, 2021. The trio managed to pilfer a total of 43 firearms from Milford Firearms in Milford, Second Amendment Arms in Windham, and MacPherson Firearms in Brentwood. Investigators recovered multiple stolen firearms at Quezada’s residence, including one bearing Mejia’s fingerprints – a damning piece of evidence linking him directly to the crime.

The conspiracy wasn’t conducted in the shadows. Videos recovered from a co-defendant’s phone and social media accounts showcased the stolen firearms and, crucially, admissions of Mejia’s direct involvement. U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young minced no words in her statement, calling the behavior “brazen” and emphasizing that such actions “pose risks to our communities and will simply not be tolerated.” The prosecution successfully argued that the scale and deliberate nature of the thefts warranted a significant prison sentence.

“ATF works closely with our law enforcement partners…to ensure that those who target federal firearm licensees will be caught, prosecuted, and incarcerated,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge James Ferguson. The investigation was a multi-agency effort, drawing support from police departments across Massachusetts and New Hampshire, as well as the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police. This coordinated response underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating interstate gun trafficking.

Mejia’s sentence isn’t the only one handed down in this case. Johariel Quezada received 24 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release on May 12, 2023. The third defendant, Ethan Ayala, is currently scheduled for sentencing on April 15, 2024, indicating the full weight of the law is still to come. Mejia was also ordered to pay $23,915.02 in restitution, a small attempt to offset the damage caused by the theft.

The case falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice recently strengthened PSN, focusing on community trust-building, prevention programs, strategic enforcement, and measurable results. While the program’s long-term effectiveness remains debated, the Mejia case serves as a concrete example of its immediate application – putting criminals behind bars and attempting to stem the flow of illegal firearms.

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