Fall River man charged after 30 firearms, 46 large capacity magazines, thousands of rounds of ammo seized

BOSTON — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell announced today charges against Joshua Rosa-Reyes, age 29, of Fall River for Possession of an Assault Weapon, Possession of Large Capacity Weapon/Feeding Device, and Possession of Ammunition without a License to Carry/Firearm Identification Card.

In August 2023, a joint investigation between the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Fall River Police Department (“FRPD”), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office (“RIAG”), and the United States Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”) served Rosa-Reyes with a License to Carry (“LTC”) revocation and firearm surrender order. Rosa-Reyes complied, and investigators seized a total of 30 firearms, including 16 assault weapons, 46 large capacity magazines, and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

“I am deeply proud of the work conducted by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and the partnership of other state and federal law enforcement agencies in this case,” said AG Campbell. “When assault weapons and large capacity magazines are off the streets, our communities are safer, and the public is better protected from the harms of gun violence.”

Further investigation led to a search warrant of Rosa-Reyes’ Fall River residence executed by Massachusetts State Police, ATF, HSI, USPIS, FRPD, and RIAG. During the search, authorities discovered numerous large capacity magazines, ammunition and documentation revealing Rosa-Reyes rented a storage locker in Fall River. A search of the storage locker revealed an illegally possessed AK-47 assault weapon, an illegally possessed .357 Magnum revolver, ammunition, over one hundred large capacity feeding devices, and various other gun parts including three lower receivers, which are major components of firearms and are considered firearms under federal law.

A second storage unit connected to Rosa-Reyes’, located in the same facility, was discovered and searched. Investigators found heat-sealed plastic bag containing one gray and orange Glock-style ghost gun and $10,000 cash hidden in a plastic container.

These charges are the result of an investigation and partnership between the Massachusetts State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, Fall River Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Attorney General’s Office.

Earlier this year, AG Campbell partnered with Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury) to file legislation that would prohibit the possession and use of gun silencers. AG Campbell has been a vocal proponent of cracking down on ghost guns, urging stricter regulations and enforcement capabilities. Recently, AG Campbell announced the Gun Violence Prevention Unit, which is tasked with advocating for commonsense gun laws and making policy recommendations to tackle some of the most pressing issues like ghost guns, background check loopholes and increasing prevalence of assault weapons.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General William Aiello of AG Campbell’s Enterprise and Major Crimes Division with assistance from Financial Investigator Sean Nagle.