U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney
District of Massachusetts

www.justice.gov/usao/ma

For Immediate Release

October 2, 2009

Lawrence Man Faces Lengthy Jail Term Following Conviction For Possession Of Loaded AK-47

BOSTON, MA — A Lawrence man was convicted today in federal court for unlawfully possessing a loaded AK-47 rifle after having been convicted of a felony.

Acting United States Attorney Michael K. Loucks and Glenn Anderson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms – Boston Field Division, announced today that CARLOS RODRIGUEZ, age 29, of Lawrence, was convicted by a jury sitting before U.S. District Judge Patti B. Saris of one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The charge arose from the discovery on September 24, 2006 of a loaded AK-47 firearm in an abandoned car in Morse Park in Methuen, MA by a Methuen Police officer. Evidence presented during the four day trial proved that the car belonged to RODRIGUEZ’s girlfriend, and he had borrowed the vehicle shortly before it was found. In addition to the firearm, a bulletproof vest was found in the trunk.

Judge Patti Saris scheduled sentencing for January 8, 2010. RODRIGUEZ is a Armed Career Criminal under federal law and faces a minimum mandatory term of 15 years in prison.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, the Methuen Police Department and the Lawrence Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald L. Cabell in Loucks’ Criminal Division.

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