Worcester Man Charged With Firearms Offenses

BOSTON – A Worcester man was indicted today in federal court in Worcester on a federal firearms charge.

Steven Rivera, 24, was charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition. Rivera was arrested on June 29, 2017, as part of a coordinated federal and state sweep that resulted in the arrests of nine individuals who have been charged with firearms-related offenses. 

According to court documents, Rivera – who has multiple prior felony convictions, including drug-related offenses – sold two handguns and numerous rounds of ammunition to a cooperating source in Worcester on Feb. 14, 2017. On Feb. 28, 2017, Rivera sold the cooperating source two more handguns and numerous rounds of ammunition, and during a recorded phone call, Rivera offered to sell the cooperating source heroin.

Eight others were arrested on state charges as part of an investigation into gun and narcotics trafficking in the Worcester area. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement purchased nine guns from nine defendants, including several handguns, two shotguns, and an assault rifle with a 100-round capacity drum magazine; multiple rounds of ammunition; and narcotics. Law enforcement seized several more guns during the June 29, 2017, sweep.

The charge of possessing ammunition after being convicted of a felony provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney William F. Abely of Weinreb’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the 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.