Massachusetts man pleads guilty to exporting gun parts
Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2016 8:27 am
A Finn is also being held for his involvement. Seems the parts were shipped all over the world.
https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/massa ... stol-parts
https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/massa ... stol-parts
BOSTON – A Boston-area man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Worcester Wednesday in connection with illegally shipping hundreds of firearm parts to people in 22 countries. The admission of guilt follows a joint investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, along with substantial assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
David L. Maricola, 60, of Southbridge, pleaded guilty to a 32-count indictment charging him with conspiracy, illegally exporting defense articles, making false statements on customs forms, and money laundering. Maricola shipped the parts to countries including France, Finland, Indonesia, New Zealand, Thailand, Spain, Australia, and Germany.
According to court documents, in 2015, Maricola and Arto Laatikanien, a 32-year old Finnish citizen, were indicted in connection with illegally exporting hundreds of assault rifle and firearm components, including parts for M16, M4, AR-15 assault rifles, Glock pistols, and UZI submachine guns. Between November 2010 and March 2012, Maricola shipped more than $100,000 worth of firearm components to Laatikainen in Finland though the U.S. Postal Service.After receiving the parts, Laatikainen sold them to criminal organizations in Finland, including the Cannonballs Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.