A Lawrence man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for selling ghost guns, ammunition and fentanyl.
Miguel Mejia, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to five years in prison and four years of supervised release. In September 2022, Mejia pleaded guilty to one count of dealing in firearms without a license and one count of possession with intent to distribute distribution of 40 grams of more fentanyl.
Between July 7, 2020 and Dec. 16, 2020, Mejia sold five privately made firearms (PMFs), more commonly known as ghost-guns along with ammunition. Specifically, Mejia sold two Glock 26 style PMF pistols, two Glock 17 style PMF pistols and 11 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Additionally, on July 31, 2020, Mejia sold approximately 50 grams of fentanyl. During a search of Mejia’s residence on Dec. 16, 2020, a Glock 43 style PMF pistol; 40 rounds of 9mm ammunition; three pistol magazines; a pill press and pill stamping set; and five baggies of narcotics cutting agents were recovered.
“Stopping the flow of illegal firearms into our communities is the most critical step in combatting violent crime. Ghost guns are particularly dangerous because in addition to being deadly, they are unlicensed and untraceable,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Mr. Mejia profited off of bringing deadly guns and drugs into our communities. This sentence is just, and Lawrence residents are safer because of it.”
“Illegally dealing firearms without a license, particularly privately manufactured firearms, will continue to remain an ATF priority and will be stopped in its tracks. The ripple effect of violence cannot be overstated and ATF will be vigilant about going after these violent criminals,” said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives, Boston Field Division.
U.S. Attorney Rollins and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Saltzman of Rollins’ Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Tags: Arrests Fentanyl Ghost Gun Pill Press Weapons Involved