Former Lowell Resident Pleads Guilty To Illegal Firearm Possession

BOSTON – A former Lowell man and convicted felon pleaded guilty yesterday to illegally possessing multiple firearms, including a semi-automatic pistol.

Eric Texeira, 34, pleaded guilty yesterday to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Feb. 10, 2015. On May 16, 2014, Texeira, a convicted felon, possessed a Glock semi-automatic pistol and sold multiple other firearms, including two revolvers and a rifle, to another individual for $1,300. Some of the firearms had obliterated serial numbers.

The maximum sentence under the statute is 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Lowell Police Superintendent William Taylor, made the announcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Ortiz's Major Crimes Unit.