New Bedford, Wareham Men Accused of Gun Trafficking

Six men, including two from New Bedford and two from West Wareham, have been indicted by a statewide grand jury in connection with a major interstate gun trafficking operation, the Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has announced.

The defendants allegedly conspired to transport firearms into Massachusetts across state lines, specifically from Florida and Michigan. A statewide grand jury returned indictments against the following individuals last week:

Donald Ashcraft, 38, of North Port, Florida:
* Transporting a Firearm into the Commonwealth (8 counts)
* Trafficking a Firearm (1 count)
* Conspiracy to Transport a Firearm into the Commonwealth (1 count)
* Carrying a Firearm (7 counts)
* Carrying a Loaded Firearm (1 count)
* Possession of Large Capacity Feeding Device (8 counts)
* Possession of Ammunition (6 counts)
* Possession Class B (2 counts)
* Possession Class E (1 count)
Craig Baier, 39, of Bradenton, Florida:
* Transporting a Firearm into the Commonwealth (8 counts)
* Trafficking a Firearm (1 count)
* Conspiracy to Transport a Firearm into the Commonwealth (1 count)
* Carrying a Firearm (7 counts)
* Carrying a Loaded Firearm (1 count)
* Possession of Large Capacity Feeding Device (8 counts)
* Possession of Ammunition (6 counts)
* Possession Class B (2 counts)
* Possession Class E (1 count)
James Benassi, 33, of New Bedford:
* Trafficking a Firearm (1 count)
* Conspiracy to Transport a Firearm into the Commonwealth (1 count)
* Carrying a Firearm (2 counts)
* Possession of a Firearm (1 count)
* Possession of Large Capacity Feeding Device (3 counts)
* Improper Storage of a Firearm (1 count)
* Possession of Ammunition (3 counts)
* Intimidation of a Witness (1 count)
* Trafficking in Heroin, more than 100g (1 count)
* Trafficking in Cocaine, more than 100g (1 count)
* Possession with Intent to Distribute Class E (1 count)
Justin Pena, 33, of New Bedford:
* Possession of a Firearm (1 count)
* Possession of Large Capacity Feeding Device (1 count)
* Improper Storage of a Firearm (1 count)
* Possession of Ammunition (2 counts)
* Trafficking in Heroin, more than 100g (1 count)
* Trafficking in Cocaine, more than 100g (1 count)
* Possession with Intent to Distribute Class E (1 count)
Mathew Capozzi, 37, of West Wareham:
* Conspiracy to Transport a Firearm into the Commonwealth (1 count)
Nicholas Ieronimo, 33, of West Wareham
* Conspiracy to Transport a Firearm into the Commonwealth (1 count)

The defendants will be arraigned at a later date in Bristol and Plymouth Superior Courts,

The investigation was led by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Office of Attorney General Maura Healey in collaboration with MSP’s Gang Unit, MSP’s Troop D Community Action Team, the Bristol County State Police Detective Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The matter is being handled by Assistant AG Kaitlyn O’Leary and Caitlin McDermott of the AG’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crimes Division.