Lowell woman charged with illegally trafficking AR-15s and other firearms

A Lowell woman was arrested on Friday for trafficking illegal firearms, including an AR-15, without a license.

Leticia Alcantara, 25, has been charged with one count of trafficking in unlicensed firearms, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins. A spokesperson for Rollins’ office told the Lowell Sun that Alcantara made her first appearance in federal court in Boston on Friday afternoon and is currently in custody. A detention hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

“Illegal gun trafficking fuels violent crime trends and poses a very real threat to the safety of our communities,” Rollins said in a statement. “We believe that Ms. Alcantara contributed to this violent threat through regular sales offers for numerous firearms, including an AR-15 rifle. She had no license and was willing to sell firearms that could have gone to banned people.

The charging document cited in the press release states that Alcantara was first identified as an arms trafficker by authorities in October 2021. Since then, the Lowell woman has been linked to several incidents of gun trafficking. weapons.

On February 15, Alcantara allegedly offered to sell a 9mm handgun to two people who were cooperating with law enforcement. A month later, Alcantara met with the cooperating witnesses in Falmouth to deliver the weapon. Witnesses observed Alcantara pull out a black trash bag from her purse which contained the firearm.

Alcantara then contacted the cooperating witnesses in July, allegedly sending them photos of two handguns for sale. Under the direction of law enforcement, Witnesses agreed to the sale and met with Alcantara in Plymouth. This happened a second time as the woman continued to communicate with the witness about other firearms for sale, including a handgun and an AR-15 rifle.

Alcantara faces a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of probation and a fine of up to $250,000.

Rollins and James Ferguson, special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division, announced the allegations Monday. Plymouth and Falmouth Police have been involved in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Dell’Anno of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.