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Press Release

Springfield Man Sentenced for Illegal Firearms Possession

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts

BOSTON – A Springfield man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Springfield for illegally possessing firearms.

Eric Lopez, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 114 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In June 2016, Lopez pleaded guilty to three counts of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. In November 2015, Lopez and his co-defendant, Francisco Figueroa, were arrested and charged.

Lopez was arrested as part of an investigation into firearms and narcotics trafficking by members of the Springfield and Holyoke chapters of the Latin Kings. In total, 11 members and leaders were arrested as part of the investigation.

Lopez is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to a prior criminal conviction. On two occasions in November 2014 and one occasion in January 2015, Lopez possessed a Zastava, model SKS (M59/66A1), 7.62mm rifle; a CZ, model CZ527M Carbine, 7.62mm rifle; approximately 140 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition; approximately 65 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition; a Marlin, model 1894CB, .45 caliber rifle; a Sturm Ruger, .22 caliber handgun; approximately eight rounds of .22 caliber ammunition; an Arsenal, model SLR-105R, 5.45mm rifle; and approximately 23 rounds of 5.4mm ammunition.

Figueroa pleaded guilty in June 2016. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 20, 2018.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.

Updated March 16, 2018

Topic
Firearms Offenses