Somerville Man Sentenced For Weapon Conviction

SOMERVILLE, MA – A Somerville man was sentenced Tuesday in federal court for being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. Fredy Arbaiza, 25, pleaded guilty in November 2017 and was sentenced to 64 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

In May 2017, authorities began investigating Arbaiza after a source told police he abused alcohol ecstasy and Xanax and became increasingly violent while under the influence, the USAO said. The source also said Arbaiza sold marijuana out of two Somerville apartments and carried a black handgun.

Arbaiza told another source that he carried a "Glock police-issued" handgun for protection that he bought from a friend for $1,000, according to the USAO.

On June 15, 2017, authorities searched a Somerville apartment where Arbaiza stayed and found a Glock Model 17 9-mm pistol with a partially obliterated serial number, as well as a 3-round magazine loaded with 23 rounds of 9-mm ammunition found in Abraiza's pocket, the USAO said. Drug paraphernalia – a digital scale, plastic baggies and a bag with a small amount of marijuana – was also found.

Due to prior felony convictions, including for assault, assault and battery and resisting arrest, Arbaiza is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

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