A Boston man, Pepo Herd El, also known as Pepo Wamchawi Herd, has pleaded guilty to charges of illegal firearms possession at an MBTA station in Boston. The U.S. Attorney's Office announced the conviction, confirming that the 51-year-old Dorchester resident is a convicted felon, which prohibits him from owning firearms or ammunition under federal law.
Pursuant to a year-long monitoring period by authorities, which revealed Herd El's acquisition of firearm accessories—including a laser sight, magazines, a concealable holster, extended magazine plates, and a Glock firing pin safety—his interest in modifying firearms became apparent, according to court documents. Herd El was arrested on Thanksgiving Day in 2020 and has been in custody since. Sentencing is scheduled for early January 2025, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The charges against Herd El carry a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. This outcome depends on the discretion of the federal district court judge, who will render a decision based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors. The case was reported by United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Boston Field Division. The prosecution is being led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda Beck and Timothy Kistner of the National Security Unit, with additional assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Tolkoff of the Criminal Division.
