United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy | U.S. Department of Justice
A federal firearms licensee, Cory Daigle, was sentenced in Boston's federal court for his involvement in a conspiracy to illegally traffic and straw purchase firearms. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin sentenced Daigle, 30, from Revere, to two years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. In August 2024, Daigle pleaded guilty to multiple charges including trafficking in firearms and illegal possession of a machine gun.
Daigle was charged alongside Gustavo Rodriguez and Shakim Grant by criminal complaint in January 2023 and later indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2023. "Mr. Daigle utilized his status as a licensed firearms dealer to recklessly amass an alarming number of firearms," stated United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. He further emphasized that the case serves as a warning to other licensed dealers about the consequences of selling illegal weapons.
James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), commented on the case saying, "Today’s sentencing demonstrates that those who exploit firearms laws for personal gain will be held accountable."
Daigle operated as Steelworks Defense Solutions in Littleton where he sold firearms illegally to Rodriguez through Grant. Rodriguez had an existing relationship with Daigle and proposed making purchases despite being prohibited from possessing firearms due to previous convictions.
In October 2022, Rodriguez paid Daigle for several firearms which were later picked up by Grant at Steelworks Defense Solutions. During this transaction, false paperwork was completed with Grant falsely claiming to be the actual buyer while Daigle endorsed this claim.
One of these illegally sold firearms was used in a shooting outside Rodriguez’s apartment shortly after the sale took place. Subsequent searches uncovered additional weapons at both Rodriguez's and Daigle's residences.
Grant received three years of probation for his role in the conspiracy while Rodriguez awaits sentencing scheduled for February 2025.
The announcement regarding this case was made by U.S. Attorney Levy along with ATF SAC Ferguson and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox with assistance from Revere Police Department during the investigation.
