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Press Release

Two Arrested for Allegedly Trafficking More Than Two Dozen Illegal Firearms Into Boston

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts
11 firearms allegedly used in crimes in Massachusetts

BOSTON – Two men have been arrested for allegedly conspiring to traffic dozens of illegal firearms from South Carolina to Boston. 

Aizavier Roache, 30, of Boston and Trevon Brunson, 31, of Columbia, S.C., were charged with one count of firearms trafficking and conspiracy to do so. Roache was arrested in Boston on Jan. 5, 2024 and was ordered detained following a hearing on Jan. 12, 2024. Brunson was arrested in Columbia, S.C. on Jan. 9, 2024 and appeared in federal court in the District of South Carolina on Jan. 10, 2024. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. 

“Over the course of several years, these defendants allegedly trafficked dozens of illegal firearms many of which ended up on the streets of our communities – 11 of those guns, it is alleged, were involved in criminal activity and have since been recovered,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “The unchecked flow of weapons amplifies violence, empowers criminals and puts innocent lives at risk. Our office is committed to working with ATF, FBI and local partners like the Boston Police to aggressively investigate the origin of every gun used in crime and hold accountable the people who import illegal guns into Massachusetts.”

“This alleged illegal activity will not be tolerated, and ATF will continue to aggressively target firearms traffickers” said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division. “ATF and our law enforcement partners will continue to work nonstop to prevent guns from being trafficked into our communities and protect citizens from gun violence.”

Text messages exchanged between defendants allegedly discussing the purchasing and trafficking of illegal firearms

According to the charging documents, this case arose after a firearm recovered from a shooting in Boston was identified as having been purchased in South Carolina 15 days prior. It is alleged that over a three-year period, Brunson and Roache conspired to traffic dozens of illegal firearms from South Carolina to Massachusetts. Specifically, it is alleged that Roache would text Brunson photos of the firearms he wanted. The two would then meet and Roache would provide Brunson with the cash to purchase the firearms. After purchasing the firearms in South Carolina, Brunson would allegedly meet Roache at different locations in Columbia, S.C. to transfer the firearms. It is alleged that Roache traveled between Massachusetts and South Carolina numerous times to obtain the firearms. 

Video obtained from Roache's phone allegedly depicting bottom of handgun with magazine inside a bag

According to the charging documents, numerous text messages as well as bank, travel and firearm records detailed the alleged conspiracy. Intercepted communications allegedly uncovered an instance were Brunson used Roache’s credit card to complete a multi-gun purchase because he didn’t have enough cash on hand, with Roache texting Brunson the pin number for the card during the transaction. It is further alleged that a video recovered from Roache’s phone depicts him on a bus showing off a carry-on bag that contained four firearms. The date of the video allegedly corresponds with Roache’s trip back to Massachusetts after a multi-gun purchase in April of 2023.  

In total, it is alleged that the defendants trafficked more than 24 illegal firearms into Massachusetts from South Carolina. It is further alleged that 11 of the trafficked firearms were recovered here in Massachusetts after being used in a crime. 

The charge of firearms trafficking provides for a sentence of up to 15 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.

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy, ATF SAC Ferguson and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Updated January 16, 2024

Topic
Firearms Offenses