Framingham Man Arrested for Operating Unlicensed Money Transmitting Business

BOSTON – A Framingham man was arrested this morning in connection with operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.

Luiz DaSilva, 68, was indicted on one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. DaSilva will appear in federal court in Boston at 3:30 p.m. this afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein. 

According to the indictment, from in or about October 2018 through in or about October 2020, DaSilva failed to comply with the federal registration requirements for money transmitting businesses in operating his business, Mix Cell Phones, LLC.

The charge of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Framingham Police Chief Lester Baker made announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.