Chaos reigned on the streets of Chelsea as a dramatic bust by a consortium of local police forces ended in the arrest of a 21-year-old man for weapons charges. According to a report by the Boston Police Department, officers from East Boston's Area A-7 and A-1 Drug Control Units collaborated with the Everett and Chelsea Police Departments on Friday to apprehend one Justin Palma, a resident of Everett famously known for the relative quiet of its suburban layout.
The arrest, which took place at the intersection of Locke St. and Webster Ct., was the culmination of a targeted effort to serve search warrants on Palma's person and vehicle. During the stop, the officers found that Palma was operating a motor vehicle on a suspended license—a transgression that precipitated the chain of events leading to his arrest. Boston Police Department detailed the seizure of a defaced 9mm large capacity Smith and Wesson semi-automatic firearm from Palma, capable of holding 16 rounds but now marked with scratches obfuscating its origin.
Continuing the report, the Boston Police indicated that multiple charges are set to befall Palma. These include carrying and possession of a loaded firearm without a license, which is a serious felony in the state of Massachusetts, given its stringent gun laws. Furthermore, he faces charges for possession of large capacity feeding device, possession of ammunition without an FID Card, and possession of a defaced serial number on a firearm. An additional misdemeanor charge pertains to his unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
As the case against Palma continues to crystallize, he will face arraignment in the East Boston District Court, where the full measure of his alleged indiscretions will come to light. The gun’s effaced serial number adds a layer of gravity to the proceedings, as it suggests an attempt to elude law enforcement officials in their task to trace the weapon's origins.
