Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
An Ohio man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Massachusetts for allegedly selling firearms transported from Ohio to Massachusetts.
Ruben Joel Sanchez Jr., 31, of Youngstown, Ohio, faces one count of engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license and two counts of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Sanchez was arrested on January 8, 2026, and is currently held in federal custody.
According to charging documents, authorities allege that Sanchez began unlawfully trafficking firearms as early as June 2025 through January 2026. In June 2025, Sanchez—who does not have a license to deal firearms—allegedly sold three guns to an individual for $4,000. On January 8, 2026, he was reportedly recorded and observed selling four more firearms to the same person for $8,500. At the time of his arrest at the scene, law enforcement officers allegedly recovered an AR-style pistol with a loaded 100-round drum magazine; a rifle with another loaded 100-round drum; a loaded pistol with an extended magazine; and another loaded pistol.
If convicted on the charge of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, Sanchez could face up to fifteen years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000. The unlawful trafficking charge carries up to five years imprisonment, three years supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
"United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today." Assistant U.S. Attorney Julissa Walsh from the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting this case.
"The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
