Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty To Firearms Charges

          CONCORD, N.H. – Lazaro Alon, 40, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire to conspiracy to make a false statement during the acquisition of a firearm announced Acting United States Attorney Donald Feith.

          A clerk at Stateline Guns Ammo and Archery, a federally licensed firearms dealer located in Plaistow, New Hampshire, contacted ATF regarding a suspicious female who had made several firearms purchases.  An investigation revealed that from May 20, 2013 through June 4, 2013, the female purchased 11 firearms.  The agents met with the female who subsequently admitted that she purchased the firearms for Alon.

          The investigation revealed that the female purchased the first firearm with her own money and was reimbursed by Alon. The next ten purchases were made with money provided by Alon.

          The co-conspirator also admitted that both she and Alon used a tool to remove the serial numbers from the firearms while at Alon’s apartment in Lawrence.  ATF and the Lawrence Police Department subsequently executed a search of a vehicle at Alon’s apartment where they located the tool used to remove the serial numbers from the firearms and items taken in the staged burglary.

          “The straw purchase of firearms is a major source for illegal gun trafficking,” stated Acting United States Attorney Donald Feith.  “We are committed to investigating, identifying and prosecuting those individuals who enlist others for the purpose of illegally obtaining firearms.”

          Daniel J. Kumor, ATF Special Agent in Charge, Boston Field Division stated: “Firearms trafficking remains ATF's top priorities and this investigation is another example of how through the use of a straw purchase, firearms are trafficked and end up in the hands of criminals.  Moreover, by obliterating the firearms serial numbers these defendants tried to cover their tracks in an effort to make it impossible for law enforcement to identify the source of these firearms. But through the vigilance and cooperation from a Federal Firearms Licensee in this case, law enforcement was able to successfully disrupt another firearms trafficker”

          Alon faces a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment.  Alon is scheduled to be sentenced on January 8, 2016.  Alon was detained pending sentencing.

          The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Lawrence, Massachusetts Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra M. Walsh.