BOSTON - United States Attorney Andrew Lelling hosted a roundtable discussion today on reducing gun violence and enforcing firearms laws. As part of this effort, the U.S. Attorney’s Office recently charged 21-gun related cases in support of local police departments across the state and their efforts to curb violence.
Project Guardian is a Department of Justice initiative that emphasizes close coordination among federal, state and local law enforcement to enforce federal firearms and background checks laws, including illegal possession of a firearm, straw purchasing (lie and buy), attempted straw purchasing (lie and try), firearms trafficking and dealing firearms without a license.
“Even amidst a global pandemic, our local law enforcement partners are working harder than ever in major cities like Boston, Brockton and Springfield. However, despite their best efforts, repeat offenders continue to mock the criminal justice system," said U.S. Attorney Lelling. “COVID has almost certainly emboldened violent offenders who think that the criminal justice system is closed. My office will be working closer than ever with our local and state partners to combat the surge in violent crime."
“Public safety is at the forefront of ATF’s mission," said Special Agent in Charge Kelly D. Brady. “Our focus is removing crime guns from our communities. The focus of Project Guardian is to enhance our crime gun intelligence. This enhancement will encompass identifying, investigating and prosecuting those involved in the straw purchases of firearms, lying on federal firearms transaction forms, and those subject to the mental health prohibition of possessing firearms."
U.S. Attorney Lelling hosted today’s Project Guardian Roundtable to discuss law enforcement’s collective efforts to reduce gun crime in Massachusetts. Law enforcement leaders participating in the event included Kelly Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Boston Police Commissioner William Gross; Brockton Police Chief Emanuel Gomes; Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood; and Brian Kyes, Chelsea Police Chief and President of the Massachusetts Major City Chiefs of Police.
U.S. Attorney Lelling highlighted law enforcement’s ongoing commitment to focusing on individuals and groups who represent the greatest threat of violence to our communities, and announced that his office has charged 24 defendants on firearm-related charges:
* Kyle Evans, 34, of Everett, charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition;
* Herbert Palmer, 39, of New Bedford, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition;
* Caio Costa, 25, of Tewksbury, charged with armed bank robbery/using a firearm during commission of a crime of violence;
* Victor Morales, 25, of New Bedford, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition;
* Jose Montanez, 23, of New Bedford, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition;
* Nicholas Mendes, 38, of Brockton, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition;
* Joseph McCarthy, 33, of Plymouth, charged with dealing firearms without a license;
* Jeffrey Ambroise, 34, of Brockton, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition;
* Ronney Fullard, 30, and Jerrod Lee, 27, both of Taunton, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition;
* Jamaraeh Allen, 25, of New Bedford, charged with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute cocaine;
* Diamondez Pierre, 22, of Brockton, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition;
* Tevin Abercrombie, 25, of Boston; charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition;
* Daiquan Lucas, 28, of Boston, charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition;
* Tyrone Goforth, 40, of Boston, charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition;
* Kenji Ingram, 42, of Boston, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition;
* Tykeam Jackson, 25, of Avon, charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer;
* Tevon Ngomba, 27, of Somerville, charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession with intent to distribute;
* Jason Valliere, 42; Orrin Guidry, 25; and Nyell Nascimento, 18, of New Bedford, charged with drug conspiracy;
* Ramon Martinez, 26, of New Bedford, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition;
* Charles Baker, 44, of Charlestown, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition and dealing in firearms without a license; and
* Tylor Szaljeski, 24, of Charlestown, charged with dealing in firearms without a license.
To learn more about Project Guardian, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
