A Brazilian man residing in Massachusetts has admitted to charges of conspiracy and dealing firearms without a license. Lucas Henrique Moreira DePaiva, aged 22, entered a guilty plea for conspiracy to conduct firearms dealing without a license and for dealing firearms without a license. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin has set the sentencing for July 22, 2025, following Moreira DePaiva's arrest and charges on September 17, 2024.
From late February to mid-September 2024, Moreira DePaiva engaged in selling 15 firearms across 10 instances, along with selling ammunition and magazines. Additionally, he partnered with another individual to sell one of these firearms in February 2024.
The legal consequences for both counts include a potential five-year prison term, three years of supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000. Upon serving any sentence, Moreira DePaiva faces deportation. Federal district court judges determine sentences based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant laws.
The announcement came from U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley, with contributions to the case from several officers: James M. Ferguson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Boston, Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations in New England, and Patricia H. Hyde from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Massachusetts State Police and city police departments from Weymouth and Malden assisted in the investigation. The prosecution is being led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Crowley and John Reynolds of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit.