Crime
Massachusetts man charged after 7 AR-15 style rifles, 1 AK-47 rifle, 3 shotguns, 8 handguns, 23 large capacity magazines, ammo seized
BOSTON – Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has announced a series of charges against 46-year-old Scott LaPanne of East Falmouth.
According to the AG’s Office, LaPanne was arrested on February 29, 2024, as a result of a multi-agency investigation into his unlawful possession of weapons. He was arraigned the following day in Falmouth District Court on 6 counts of Possession of Assault Weapon, 14 counts of Possession of Firearm without License To Carry/Firearms Identification Card, 23 counts of Possession of Large Capacity Weapon/Feeding Device, 2 counts of Possession of a Silencer, and Possession of Ammunition without License To Carry/Firearms Identification Card.
Homeland Security Investigations’ New England Cyber Crimes Group initiated an investigation into possible firearm parts purchased online by LaPanne. He then became the target of an investigation, led by the Attorney General’s Office, HSI New England Cyber Crimes Group, Customs and Border Patrol, and United States Postal Investigative Services, into the unlawful possession of firearms and his suitability to hold a Massachusetts Firearms License to Carry. The investigation revealed that since 2019, LaPanne purchased approximately 50 firearms-related items.
“I am deeply proud of the work conducted by my office and our partnership with Homeland Security and other federal law enforcement agencies in this case,” said AG Campbell. “As we work to protect our residents and children, removing unlawfully possessed weapons including assault weapons and large capacity magazines off the streets will continue to be a priority for the office.”
“Cybercrime doesn’t always stay online. Firearms and illegal firearm components purchased online make their way into our communities and onto our streets in violation of the laws of the Commonwealth. Thanks to the coordination and collaboration of our law enforcement partners and the commitment of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, this cache of unlawfully possessed weapons and devices are no longer in circulation,” said Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England.
On the morning of February 29, 2024, Massachusetts State Police troopers assigned to the Attorney General’s Office, federal law enforcement officers assigned to Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Postal Inspection Service arrested LaPanne for operating a vehicle with a suspended license. Following the arrest, a search warrant for LaPanne’s residence was obtained, and investigators subsequently located a cache of weapons and ammunition within the residence. The following evidence was seized pursuant to the search warrant: 7 AR-15 style rifles, 1 AK-47 rifle, 1 .22 bolt action rifle, 3 shotguns, 1 .303 bolt action rifle, 8 handguns, 23 large capacity magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition, 2 silencers, and hundreds of rounds of various caliber ammunition.
Possession of an Assault Weapon carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of one year. Possession of a Large Capacity Weapon/Feeding Device carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of two and one-half years.
This matter is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Lynn Brennan of the Attorney General’s Enterprise and Major Crimes Division.
MassTexan
March 10, 2024 at 8:52 pm
*suppressors
MiniTexan
March 11, 2024 at 4:59 pm
Actually, MassTexan, The original patent by Mr. Maxim was for a “Silencer for guns.” He developed it and the muffler for internal combustion engine.
Jack
March 11, 2024 at 8:37 pm
Massachusetts was so important at the founding of the country. The battles of Lexington and Concord happened because the Brits were coming to confiscate arms and powder. Look at you now. Sam Adams and Paul Revere are spinning in their graves.
AngelinaGianna Maffeo
March 15, 2024 at 8:44 am
Just what I was thinking. Not sure how a suspended license got them a search warrant for his house either. They are so proud to have gotten these “Off the street”… but were they actually ‘on’ the street? Is there any evidence he had used these guns or intended to use them in a crime? Mean while not one of these agencies has come up with a way to get the guns that are actually ‘on the street’ out of the hands of criminals. Good to know Homeland is snooping in peoples emails and purchases though.
Spencer
March 12, 2024 at 9:56 am
All of which are totally legal one state line over in NH. In fact all would be legal in the vast majority of the US.
It’s time for states like CA and MA to have their right to make gun laws removed.
Anonymous
March 12, 2024 at 1:52 pm
Pretty small collection. He could’ve done better.
WV Libertarian
March 12, 2024 at 2:30 pm
In most free states in this country, this would just be a decent collection of guns…
hoppy
March 12, 2024 at 6:51 pm
what a communist state.
unreal. the simple fact that in this country he is a criminal for owning firearms.
Traban Manjankini
March 14, 2024 at 10:29 am
Massachusetts – what have you done to the Constitution and every American’s God given man’s right to bear arms ? How does this even happen ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4zE0K22zH8
John Curiel
March 14, 2024 at 1:40 pm
“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”
G. A.
March 14, 2024 at 2:32 pm
There is so very much missing from this so-called news report. What was the genesis of state monitoring activity of this private citizen, IOW, what evidence of criminal activity led to such heightened scrutiny? What legal justification did the state rely on to warrant monitoring a private individual’s mail and on-line purchases? How does a traffic stop for a suspended drivers license lead to a warrant to search a private residence?
AdjState
March 14, 2024 at 3:39 pm
Ah yes MiniTexan, tell me more about your horseless carriage.
Jeff Erwin
March 14, 2024 at 10:05 pm
What happened to the second amendment I guess it doesn’t exist in that state
alberto c
March 15, 2024 at 10:34 am
so they’re hassling a guy for exercising a constitutionally protected inalienable right. absolutely awful what this man is being put through right now but it sets up a nice court challenge. all of these items are in “common use” by millions of americans for lawful purposes. the supreme court has been abundantly clear that it is plainly unconstitutional for states to infringe your right to keep and bear anything in “common use”.
not the first time we had to sue Andrea Joy Campbell .
Micah Hurd
March 15, 2024 at 12:19 pm
When the book of Psalms talks about the wicked men who seek to oppress the innocent, it’s referring exactly to people like everyone involved in this “criminal” investigation.
Ronald Dunne
March 17, 2024 at 8:22 am
It would be interesting to know from whence arose the probable cause to search his home. Onthe fac of it this case reeks to high heaven. As Stalin’s NKVD head stated “Show me the man, and I’ll show you the crime”.