A 35-year-old man from Springfield was handed a prison sentence exceeding four years for the illegal possession of ammunition, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Julio A. Rivera, previously convicted of assault and carrying a weapon, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 57 months followed by a three-year supervised release.
In an announcement made by Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, Rivera entered a guilty plea in March 2024 to one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition. Between February 2020 and July of 2022, Rivera, who was not allowed to possess firearms and ammunition due to past convictions, manufactured and distributed an estimated 90 unserialized privately made firearms, known colloquially as "ghost guns."
During a search of his Springfield residence, Rivera was found in possession of 10 rounds of ammunition loaded in a ghost gun and an additional magazine containing 18 rounds. Also discovered at the premises were a second ghost gun, 90 rounds of ammunition, parts and tools for gun-making, and receipts for firearm components and accessories.
The successful prosecution of Rivera's case was the result of joint efforts by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, with special recognition given by authorities to the Springfield Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of the Springfield Branch Office was charging with the case's prosecution. Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Boston Field Division, James M. Ferguson, also contributed to the announcement.
