Taunton Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearm

BOSTON - A Taunton man was sentenced on Nov. 15, 2024 for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Jermaine Rodrigues, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley to two years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In June 2024, Rodrigues pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. In July 2023, Rodrigues was indicted by a federal grand jury.

In June 2022, Rodrigues possessed two Anderson Manufacturing AM-15, .300 blackout firearms - one of which was equipped with a laser sight and optics affixed to the top rail. In addition, Rodrigues possessed almost 100 rounds of .300 blackout ammunition.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Taunton and Fall River Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorneys Luke A Goldworm and Meghan C. Cleary of the Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.