Convicted Felon Indicted for Possessing a Firearm and Conspiring to Make False Statements in the Acquisition of Firearms

CONCORD – A Woonsocket, Rhode Island man was indicted and arrested in connection with federal firearms charges, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Mario Marques, 25, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to make false statements during the acquisition of firearms, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Marques will appear in federal court in Concord at a later date.

According to the charging documents, Marques was legally prohibited from purchasing firearms but conspired with another person to purchase six firearms for him.  The guns were purchased from five separate federally licensed firearms dealers in New Hampshire, between September 30 and November 20, 2021.  Marques is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm for possessing a Springfield Armory Model XD, .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol purchased in New Hampshire during the course of the conspiracy.

The charges provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes, which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Gingrande is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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