A Moroccan national residing in Medford, Ayoud Haddad, has been charged with unlawfully possessing ammunition as an illegal alien. The 24-year-old was arrested and is being held pending a hearing scheduled for March 17, 2025, in federal court in Worcester.
Haddad entered the United States on April 12, 2012, with a B-2 non-immigrant visa obtained by his parent when he was a minor. His visa expired on October 12, 2012. On June 6, 2024, law enforcement responded to reports of shots fired outside an apartment complex in Lawrence. Surveillance footage identified a white BMW leased to Haddad as involved in the incident. When stopped by authorities on June 8, Haddad was driving the vehicle which contained a rifle without a serial number and live ammunition.
In 2019, Haddad faced state charges including carrying a firearm without a license and possession with intent to distribute drugs. These charges were eventually dismissed after legal proceedings.
The charge against Haddad carries a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment and potential deportation following any sentence served. Sentencing will be determined based on federal guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the arrest along with officials from various law enforcement agencies including James M. Ferguson from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; Patricia H. Hyde from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Acting Lawrence Police Chief Millix Bonilla; and Medford Police Chief Jack D. Buckley. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus is prosecuting the case.