Billerica, Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 15 Months for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition

            CONCORD - Ricardo Jacques Pierre, 29, of Billerica, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 14, 2019, the Pelham Police Department received a complaint of an erratic driver.  Law enforcement officers stopped the vehicle.  A strong odor of marijuana was coming from the vehicle.

            Pierre was identified as the operator, owner, and sole occupant of the vehicle. The police executed a search warrant on the vehicle and found a Smith & Wesson, Model 66-2 .375 Magnum caliber firearm and ammunition. 

            Pierre is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.         

            “If we are going to prevent violent crime, we must keep firearms out of the hands of convicted felons,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “We will strive to maintain public safety by working with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute criminals who possess firearms unlawfully.”

            “This sentencing demonstrates the outstanding partnership between ATF and the Pelham Police Department as well as the commitment we share to work together to interdict illegal firearms and arrest the criminals that compromise the safety of our communities”   Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge.

            This matter was investigated by the Alcohol, tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pelham Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra M. Walsh.

            The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which is a federally-funded program intended to reduce gun violence through law enforcement training, public education, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes.

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