Mass. Resident Detained in R.I. on Stolen Firearms, Bank Fraud Charges

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Edwin William Rosa, 45, of Peabody, Mass., was ordered detained in federal custody today by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond following an initial appearance in federal court in Providence on charges that he allegedly purchased eight guns from firearms dealers in Massachusetts using bogus bank checks, and that he allegedly sold the stolen guns to firearms dealers in Rhode Island.

Rosa is charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with possession of stolen firearms and bank fraud. The charges are announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

It is alleged in court documents that between September 8 and September 30, 2015, Rosa used personal checks from closed bank accounts to purchase eight firearms from registered firearms dealers in Massachusetts, and that he then sold the firearms to registered firearms dealers in Rhode Island for immediate payment in cash or by check.

According to an affidavit in support of an arrest warrant and criminal complaint in this matter, Rosa’s alleged possession of stolen firearms arises from his theft of the firearms as well as his possession of those stolen firearms up to the point of sale to other firearms dealers. Rosa’s alleged bank fraud arises from his alleged scheme to defraud banks through the issuance of “bad” checks designed to draw funds from financial institutions.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.

The matter was investigated by ATF, with the assistance of the Smithfield, R.I., and Seekonk, Fall River and Somerset, Mass., Police Departments.

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Contact:

Jim Martin (401) 709-5357

email: USARI.Media@usdoj.gov

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