Man accused of buying weapons arsenal
By Milton J. Valencia
Globe Staff / May 16, 2009
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A native of the Dominican Republic who was set to become a US citizen yesterday was instead sent to jail for allegedly buying guns and ammunition from New Hampshire without a license.

Keni Garcia, 32, of Haverhill, was ordered held in lieu of $500,000 cash bail after pleading not guilty at his arraignment in Haverhill District Court on charges of illegal possession of ammunition, three counts of possession of a high-capacity firearm, and three counts of illegal storage of a firearm. He was also ordered to surrender his passport, and cannot leave the state if he makes bail. The case was continued to June 12.

Prosecutors believe Garcia was buying guns and ammunition to ship to the Dominican Republic. The status of his citizenship application was not known yesterday, but he could be deported if convicted of the charges.

His lawyer, Socrates de la Cruz, could not be reached for comment.

Garcia was arrested Wednesday after a weeks-long investigation by local and State Police in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Investigators learned that Garcia, who holds driver's licenses from Massachusetts and New Hampshire, allegedly showed a large sum of cash in an effort to purchase 55,000 rounds of ammunition in New Hampshire recently. He had already purchased 20,000 rounds of ammunition and three high-capacity pistols in New Hampshire, authorities said.

On Wednesday, law enforcement conducted surveillance of Garcia and allegedly watched him buy 10,000 rounds of .38-caliber ammunition in New Hampshire and then return to Haverhill, while his two daughters were in his custody. Authorities later searched his home and found thousands of rounds of ammunition, three high-capacity pistols, and $25,000 in cash.

Milton Valencia can be reached at mvalencia@globe.com.

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