CONCORD - United States attorney Scott W. Murray announced today that Yoelfi Feliz, 21, of Lawrence, Massachusetts was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for obtaining firearms in exchange for drugs.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from March 8, 2017, through April 13, 2017, Feliz conspired with another individual to purchase eight firearms in exchange for drugs and to pay down a drug debt. The co-conspirator claimed that he started purchasing firearms for Feliz because he owed Feliz money for heroin that Feliz had “fronted" him. According to the co-conspirator, he ran up a drug debt of approximately $2000. The co-conspirator stated that Feliz asked him to buy firearms as a way to pay off his debt. One of the firearms was recovered after a juvenile in Lawrence, Massachusetts shot himself in the hand with the firearm.
Feliz previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to make a false statement during the acquisition of a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
“Placing guns in the hands of drug traffickers endangers everyone," said U.S. Attorney Murray. “We will work closely with all of our law enforcement partners to prevent the illegal sale of firearms and fully prosecute those who commit crimes involving firearms."
“When individuals illegally obtain numerous firearms, it is likely they will end up in the hands of criminals which puts the public's safety at risk. ATF is focused on using every investigative technique available to remove all illegal firearms from our streets in order to keep our communities safe," said Mickey Leadingham Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division.
The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Lawrence, Massachusetts Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Debra M. Walsh and Assistant United States Attorney Charles Rombeau prosecuted the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
