Brockton Man Charged with Illegal Possession of Firearms

BOSTON – A Brockton man was charged in connection with attempting to purchase six firearms from an undercover federal agent.

Rotchill Seme, 21, of Brockton, was arrested yesterday and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Following an initial appearance today, Seme was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for June 10, 2020.

According to the criminal complaint, beginning on May 25, 2020, Seme began texting with an uncover federal agent about purchasing multiple firearms. After meeting on May 27, 2020, Seme agreed to purchase six handguns from the undercover agent for $3,500. On June 3, 2020, Seme met the undercover agent in a Brockton fast food restaurant parking lot to conduct the transaction. As the meeting concluded, law enforcement approached to arrest Seme, who attempted to flee but was arrested. Seme, who was wearing an ankle GPS bracelet at the time of his arrest, is on parole following state convictions for various drug and firearms offenses and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelley D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin, of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the court documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.