Boston Man Sentenced for Firearm Trafficking and Straw Purchasing Conspiracy

BOSTON - A Boston man was sentenced on Oct. 18, 2024, for conspiring to illegally traffic and straw purchase firearms.

Shakim Grant, 23, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to three years of probation. In May 2023, Grant pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to make false statements in records required to be kept by an FFL and one count of aiding and abetting making false statements in records required to be kept by an FFL. Grant was initially charged by complaint on Jan. 17, 2023 along with co-conspirators Cory Daigle and Gustavo Rodriguez. He was subsequently charged by an Information on March 16, 2023.

From in or about August 2022 through November 2022, Daigle and Rodriguez conspired to create false entries in records required to be maintained by Daigle, an FFL, in order to conceal the illegal sale of multiple firearms via Grant to Rodriguez, who could not lawfully purchase or possess firearms. Specifically, Grant and, allegedly, Daigle made and signed false representations on required forms to disguise Rodriguez's identity as the true firearm purchaser. Rodriguez is prohibited from possessing a firearm. It is further alleged that the defendants attempted to coverup the illegal straw purchase by providing false information to law enforcement. One of the guns sold by Daigle was used two weeks later in a shooting outside of Rodriguez's residence. According to court documents, the same gun, was subsequently recovered from a juvenile in New Bedford by police.

Daigle pleaded guilty in August 2024 and is currently pending sentencing. Rodriguez pleaded guilty in November 2023 and is awaiting sentencing.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Revere Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.