Fall River Police arrest woman on list of charges after trying to sell high capacity rifle

A woman was allegedly trying to find someone to help her make an illegal sale. She found the police instead.

According to Captain Bardon Castro, on Thursday, detectives assigned to the Fall River Police Department Gang Unit were able to prevent the illegal sale of a high capacity rifle in the City of Fall River.

Due to work put in by investigators, it was learned that a Rhode Island resident, 24-year-old Melanie Shackelford, was looking to sell an AR-15 style rifle on the street.

Detectives were able to intercept Shackelford and a follow-up search of her motor vehicle uncovered a Smith & Wesson M&P 15 rifle, 30 round rifle magazine, 20 round rifle magazine, Walther PPK/S .380 caliber pistol, 3 pistol magazines, .380 ammunition, and .223 ammunition.

Chief of Police Jeffrey Cardoza stated, “I commend the investigators involved in this case; they prevented the potential use of a high powered rifle from being used in our community.”

Melanie Shackelford was placed under arrest for Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm, Possession/Carrying a Large Capacity Firearm or Feeding Device, Possession of a Firearm without an FID Card, Possession of Ammunition with an FID Card, Improper Storage of a Large Capacity Firearm, Unregistered Motor Vehicle, and Registration Plate Violation.