BOSTON – A Lawrence man was arrested today and charged with firearms and drug offenses.
Miguel Mejia, 35, was indicted on one count of dealing in firearms without a license and one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 40 grams more of fentanyl. Following an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal, Mejia was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Nov. 10, 2021.
According to the indictment, between July 7, 2020 and Dec. 16, 2020, Mejia sold five privately made firearms, more commonly known as ghost-guns. Additionally, on July 31, 2020, it is alleged that Mejia sold more than 40 grams of fentanyl.
The charge of dealing in firearms without a license provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Saltzman of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.