Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the results of a year-long federal investigation into illegal firearm sales across Massachusetts.
According to the criminal documents, the inquiry uncovered Brazilian nationals in multiple Massachusetts locations who allegedly sold various firearms. It is also claimed that some of the firearms were associated with gang-related crimes, including a significant transnational criminal organization, Primeiro Comando da Capital, as well as smaller, local street gangs, especially the “Tropa de Sete” and “Trem Bala” street gangs. Primeiro Comando da Capital, created in São Paulo’s prisons, is a major criminal organization in Brazil and Latin America. It is claimed that Primeiro Comando da Capital members and affiliates have committed violent crimes in support of the organization, including murders, armed robberies, kidnappings, and the coordination of an international drug trafficking network.
The investigation, which began in 2024, has recovered approximately 110 weapons, fentanyl trafficking quantities, and ammunition to date. Handguns, rifles, short-barreled rifles, and shotguns were purportedly confiscated, with the majority being transported from Florida and South Carolina into Massachusetts.
Throughout the investigation, eighteen Brazilian nationals have been charged individually with federal firearms violations. The majority of the accused do not have legal status in the United States and are here illegally:
1. Guilherme Fernandes Tavares, 31, illegal, resided in Marlborough, charged with engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license;
2. Lucas Henrique Moreira De Paiva, 22, illegal, resided in Malden, Weymouth and Chelsea, charged with engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license;
3. Victor Eduardo Santos De Souza, 21, illegal, resided in Framingham and Revere, charged with engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license;
4. Rafaell Martins Ferreira, 27, illegal, resided in Boston, charged with engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license;
5. Riquelme Henrique De Aguilar Ferreira, 21, illegal, resided in Framingham and Revere, charged with engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license;
6. Lucas Ferreira-Da Silva, 27, of Malden, charged with engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license;
7. Floriano De Souza, 50, illegal, resided in Yarmouth, charged with conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license;
8. Israel Yurisson Dos Santos, 24, illegal, resided in Marlborough, charged with engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license;
9. Alason Ferreira-Peixoto, 22, of West Yarmouth, charged with engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license;
10. Gideoni De Oliveira Moutinho, 32, illegal, resided in Malden, Weymouth and Chelsea, charged with engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license;
11. Lucas Nascimento-Siva, 27, of West Yarmouth, charged with engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license;
12. Vanderson Rocha Oliveira, 31, illegal, resided in Boston, charged with charged with engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license;
13. Joao Vitor Dos Santos Goncalves Pimenta, 20, illegal, resided in Malden, charged with engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license;
14. Talles Provette De Faria, 34, of Barnstable and Plymouth, charged with engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license and distribution of fentanyl;
15. Patrick Rodrigues De Oliveira, 34, of Framingham, charged with engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license;
16. Marcos Paulo Silva, 24, illegal, resided in Boston, charged with engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license;
17. Joao Victor Da Silva Soares, 21, of Everett, charged with conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing in firearms without a license; and
18. Kessi Jhonny Firmino Sales, 23, illegal, resided in West Yarmouth, charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.
“As alleged, these defendants – most of whom have no legal status in the United States – played a role in bringing deadly weapons into Massachusetts, some as traffickers and others as unlawful possessors. This kind of lawlessness fuels violent crime and empowers transnational criminal organizations that profit from chaos and fear. It puts American lives at risk,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “This case is a testament to the strength of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partnerships in keeping our communities safe and upholding the rule of law.”
“This case involved the trafficking of well over 100 illegal firearms and included 18 defendants, many of whom are illegal aliens allegedly engaged in the unlawful possession and distribution of deadly weapons. The combination of illegal firearms and individuals unlawfully in our country presents a grave threat to public safety. ATF will not stand by – we will continue to work aggressively with our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate and dismantle those who arm criminals and endanger our communities,” said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division.
“Not only are many of these individuals in the country illegally, these defendants also allegedly trafficked dangerous firearms in connection with transnational gangs, posing a serious threat to our communities in Massachusetts. This investigation is the result of collaboration with our partners, each leveraging our unique expertise and authorities to work towards our shared public safety goals,” said Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England.
“Many of these 18 Brazilian aliens illegally settled in our Massachusetts communities apparently with the intention of causing harm to our residents,” said Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations. “Not only were they allegedly members or associates of dangerous transnational criminal organizations, but they were also allegedly involved in trafficking significant amounts of illegal firearms, ammunition, and fentanyl. ICE Boston will continue to prioritize the safety of our public by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders from our New England neighborhoods.”
The charges of engaging in the business of dealing weapons without a license and conspiracy carry a maximum punishment of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The crime of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien carries a maximum punishment of 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. After serving any term, the defendants face deportation. A federal district court judge imposes sentences based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the legislation that governs sentence determination in criminal cases.
The announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney Foley, ATF Special Agent in Charge Ferguson, HSI Special Agent Krol, and ICE ERO Director Hyde. The Massachusetts State Police, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office, the Fraud Detection & National Security Directorate of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the police departments of Barnstable, Yarmouth, Plymouth, Chelsea, Milford, Malden, Marlborough, Weymouth, Framingham, New Bedford, and Worcester all provided valuable assistance. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael J. Crowley, Deputy Chief of the Organized Crime and Gang Unit, and John J. Reynolds III.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that uses the Department of Justice’s full resources to combat the invasion of illegal immigration, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from violent criminals. Operation Take Back America consolidates activities and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood.
The details in the charge filings are allegations. The defendants are deemed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
