A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico indicted José M. Ayala-Rivera, Erick Osorio-Rivera, and Bianca Vidal Vázquez-Millán on May 1 for allegedly running an unlicensed firearms business, according to W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
The indictment alleges that from at least October 2024 to August 2025, the defendants conspired to purchase firearms in Massachusetts and send them covertly through the United States Postal Service to Puerto Rico. The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
According to court documents, Osorio-Rivera and Vázquez-Millán acquired firearms in Massachusetts before arranging their shipment via Priority Mail to Ayala-Rivera in Puerto Rico. Authorities say Ayala-Rivera then stored these weapons at a residence on the island. All three face charges including conspiracy to receive out-of-state firearms, transferring firearms out of state, and sending firearms via a common carrier without written notice. Osorio-Rivera and Vázquez-Millán are also charged with shipping a firearm without providing notice to the carrier. If convicted, each defendant could be sentenced up to five years in prison.
Muldrow said: "An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law." Assistant U.S. Attorneys Pedro Casablanca and Jeanette M. Collazo-Ortiz are leading prosecution efforts.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico supports public safety by handling federal crimes including civil rights violations according to its official website. The office enforces federal laws through criminal prosecutions and civil litigation according to its official website. Muldrow held the position of United States Attorney for this district according to its official website.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office serves all of Puerto Rico as part of federal law enforcement efforts according to its official website, offering mechanisms for reporting crimes or frauds that promote public safety according to its official website. The office addresses offenses such as public corruption or drug trafficking within federal jurisdiction according to its official website.
