BOSTON - Angel Ortiz, 31, of Lawrence, pleaded guilty to one count of dealing in firearms without a license and five counts of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV, scheduled sentencing for Feb. 29, 2016.
Ortiz, who had previously been convicted of a felony offense, was involved in the sale of six firearms to a cooperating witness on five occasions between June 10, 2014 and July 23, 2014. On some occasions, Ortiz also provided ammunition for the weapons. It is a federal crime for a convicted felon to possess a firearm or ammunition and also a federal crime to sell firearms without a license.
The charge of dealing firearms without a license provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. Richardson of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
