Boston Man Sentenced to Prison for Failure to File Export Information

BOSTON - A Boston man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for illegally sending firearms between the United States and the Dominican Republic.

Alexis Lara Herrera, 28, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to eight months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. The defendant is subject to deportation. In May 2026, Herrera pleaded guilty to failure to file export information.

On or about March 18, 2023, law enforcement in the Port of Haina in the Dominican Republic conducted security examinations of international freight in the port. During a search of a shipping container from Brooklyn, New York, they discovered a shipping manifest indicating the container contained household goods. During a search of the container, four Glock firearms and 500 rounds of ammunition were found inside an air conditioner. Further investigation revealed that the shipping container originated in Boston.

Four of the Glock firearms seized in the shipment originated from federally licensed firearms dealers. Herrera was also in communication with multiple co-conspirators throughout the shipment. A search of his phone showed his engagement in firearms smuggling, including texts and a photo of multiple guns. Additional evidence recovered from Herrera's cell phone indicated that he discussed numerous shipments of firearms to the Dominican Republic, including one in June of 2023 after authorities seized this shipment.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, in New England; and Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Feld Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.