DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
District of Puerto Rico

For Immediate Release

Friday, September 28, 2018
Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez
, United States Attorney
Contact: Lymarie V. Llovet-Ayala, Public Affairs Specialist

Two Individuals Indicted for Firearms Offenses

SAN JUAN, P.R. – On September 20, 2018, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment against two defendants charged for being convicted felons in possession of firearms, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is in charge of the investigation.

According to the information contained in the indictment, Benny Ruperto Rivera and Raymond Quintana Sotomayor, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year did knowingly possess in and affecting interstate commerce firearms of unknown make, model and caliber and ammunition, said firearms and ammunition having been shipped and transported in interstate commerce; in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). Benny Ruperto Rivera was arrested today and Raymond Quintana Sotomayor was arrested on September 19, 2018.

These arrests are part of the Trigger Puller Initiative, the Mayagüez Strike Force, and ATF. Ruperto Rivera and Raymond Quintana Sotomayor are two of the four individuals in a video that has been making the rounds in the media where rifles and guns are brandished at the camera by the four individuals threatening rapper Anuel AA. Quintana Sotomayor was also absconded from state probation at the time of his arrest.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Teresa S. Zapata-Valladares. If convicted, defendants face up to 10 years in prison. An indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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