Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
An East Boston resident, Angel Negron, was arrested and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to an April 9 announcement by federal authorities. Negron, age 47, remains detained after his initial appearance in federal court following his arrest at his apartment on March 31.
The case is significant as it involves the alleged possession and manufacture of untraceable firearms, often referred to as "ghost guns," which have become a growing concern for law enforcement agencies. Authorities said that during the search of Negron's apartment they seized three privately made firearms (ghost guns), four machine gun conversion devices, a 3D printer, five magazines and thirty-one privately made firearm receivers.
According to charging documents, between January 14 and March 2 this year, Negron allegedly ordered twenty-nine firearm parts through his eBay account. On March 3 he reportedly filed an online complaint with a firearms company about a trigger purchased from its eBay store not working properly. In that complaint communication he included a photograph showing a firearm with what appeared to be a frame produced by a 3D printer.
Negron's criminal history includes convictions from Suffolk Superior Court in 2007 for possession of a firearm without a license and carrying a loaded firearm. He was sentenced then to thirty months in the house of correction.
If convicted on the current charge—felon in possession of a firearm—Negron faces up to fifteen years in prison, three years supervised release and up to $250,000 in fines. Sentencing will be determined by federal district court guidelines if there is conviction.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jeffrey Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations announced the charges. The United States Postal Inspection Service and Boston Police Department provided assistance during the investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Robinson is prosecuting the case.
Authorities remind that all details contained within charging documents are allegations only; Negron is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
