DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
District of New Hampshire

For Immediate Release

Thursday, October 8, 2015
Donald Feith
, United States Attorney
Contact: Gina Coffaro

Massachusetts Man Sentenced on Firearm Charges

CONCORD, N.H. – Jose M. Camara, Jr., 30, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, was sentenced today in the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire to 42 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to make a false statement during the acquisition of a firearm and making false statements during the acquisition of firearms, announced Acting United States Attorney Donald Feith. Upon his release, Camara will be placed on three years of supervised release which is monitored by the United States Probation and Pretrial Services Office.

Beginning in August 2014, agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Boston were involved in an investigation of the illegal purchase and sale of firearms. During the investigation, the ATF was able to purchase firearms from co-conspirator Jason Martinez. Martinez previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make a false statement during the acquisition of a firearm and was sentenced to 48 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.

“The recent tragedy in Roseburg, Oregon, where the shooter obtained his guns legally, demonstrates how senseless violence can occur when guns are in the wrong hands,” announced Acting United States Attorney Donald Feith. “Those who would engage in illegal activity that puts a gun in the hands of an individual who is otherwise prohibited pose an even greater threat to public safety. Our office will continue to prosecute those who seek to circumvent the current regulatory scheme designed to protect the public from individuals who cannot legally possess firearms.”

“This case should send a clear message to straw purchasers of firearms. If you are thinking about buying a gun for someone other than yourself, you better think again. Straw purchasing of firearms is one of the ways firearms traffickers acquire guns and ATF will pursue and arrest anyone who had a role in putting guns onto the streets and into the hands of criminals.” Daniel Kumor, ATF Special Agent in Charge, Boston Field Division.

Martinez and others solicited Camara to purchase firearms because Camara possessed New Hampshire identification and could provide that identification to the federal firearms licensee making the sale. Camara agreed to purchase the firearms for Martinez and others. From October 31, 2014 through November 8, 2014, on four separate occasions, Camara purchased nine firearms in New Hampshire. On November 26, 2014, Camara attempted to purchase three additional firearms but was denied because ATF was alerted to the purchase. During each of the firearm purchases, Camara falsely claimed that he was the actual purchaser of the firearms when in reality he was purchasing the firearms for Martinez and others. Martinez provided the money for the firearms.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra M. Walsh.

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Boston Field Division