Joao Victor Da Silva Soares of Everett was sentenced on Mar. 30 in federal court in Boston to time served, amounting to 18 months in prison, for selling more than half a dozen firearms, including AR-15 style rifles.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to address unlicensed firearm sales and related crimes in Massachusetts.
According to court records, Da Silva Soares, age 22, pleaded guilty in December 2025 to one count of dealing firearms without a license and one count of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license. He was arrested initially on state charges in September 2024 before being charged federally by criminal complaint in January 2025 and later indicted by a grand jury that July.
Between August and September 2024, Da Silva Soares supplied several firearms for sale across Eastern Massachusetts. On Aug. 26, he delivered two AR-15 style rifles and sold them for $6,000 during an exchange at a parking lot in Malden. On Sept. 11, he participated in another transaction involving five additional firearms—including rifles, pistols, and a shotgun—outside a residence located in Milford.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the sentencing along with Thomas Greco of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; Michael J. Krol from Homeland Security Investigations; and David T. Wesling from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations. The Massachusetts State Police as well as Malden and Milford Police Departments provided assistance during the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Reynolds prosecuted the case as part of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit.
