Convicted Felon Sentenced to Over Four Years in Prison for Illegal Ammunition Possession

BOSTON – A Springfield man was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield for unlawful possession of ammunition.

Julio A. Rivera, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 57 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. In March 2024, Rivera pleaded guilty to one count of felon in possession of ammunition. 

From approximately Feb. 7, 2020 to July 15, 2022, Rivera manufactured and distributed approximately 90 privately manufactured firearms, commonly known as “PMFs” or “ghost guns.” In September 2022, during a search of his residence, Rivera was found to be carrying a loaded ghost gun containing 10 rounds of ammunition as well as a magazine containing 18 rounds of ammunition. Also recovered from Rivera’s residence was another ghost gun, 90 rounds of ammunition, firearm parts, accessories and tools to manufacture ghost guns, as well as receipts for various firearms parts and accessories.

Rivera is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to a September 2017 conviction out of Westfield District Court of assault and battery and an April 2018 conviction out of Springfield District Court of carrying a dangerous weapon (blunt object).

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Boston Feld Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance provided by the Springfield Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of the Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.