Federal Agents Arrest Bitcoin Gun Buyer in Sting Operation

A man in Boston has been charged and arrested after attempting to buy a $2,500 firearm from a dark net website using bitcoin.

AccessTimeIconApr 3, 2015 at 3:10 p.m. UTC
Updated Sep 11, 2021 at 11:37 a.m. UTC

A man from Hyannis, Massachusetts has been charged and arrested after attempting to buy a $2,500 firearm from a darknet website using bitcoin.

According to US Attorney Carmen Ortiz's office, Justin Moreira was arrested after he picked up a package he believed contained a .380 caliber pistol and a silencer, sent by an undercover federal agent, from a local post office.

"Federal agents monitoring the Post office box immediately arrested Moreira after he retrieved the package this morning," the 2nd April press release noted.

Moreira was charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

It is believed that Moreira engaged the federal agent in a series of online messages during which he looked into purchases of various firearms.

Moreira, a felon convicted of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute in 2013, now faces a maximum sentence of 10 years and a $250,000 fine.

Image via Shutterstock

DISCLOSURE

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

The leader in news and information on cryptocurrency, digital assets and the future of money, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups. As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of stock appreciation rights, which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk’s longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.


Read more about