Massachusetts man sentenced to prison after explosion revealed over 30 illegal firearms

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (WWLP) - A convicted felon from North Andover was sentenced to prison after a reported explosion revealed over 30 illegal firearms.

In a news release from the Department of Justice in Boston, on July 1, 2024, North Andover police were called to a report of an explosion. Upon arrival, officers observed damage to two vehicles. Materials discovered were common items used in manufacturing homemade explosive devices, specifically ball bearings or shrapnel.

Witnesses told police that they saw 65-year-old Daniel Medina running to his home following the explosion. During the search of Medina’s home, officers seized the following:

• More than 32 firearms, including 12 rifles, 15 pistols, three shotguns and two antique firearms
• 9,000 rounds of various calibers of modern ammunition manufactured outside of Massachusetts
• 75 magazines for various caliber firearms
• Various firearm parts
• A Glock switch device
• Books pertaining to the building of firearms and manufacturing of explosives and drugs
• Shrapnel accessories such as BB’s and ball bearings
• Multiple firework containers
• Various containers of powders produced and shipped in interstate commerce
  • Potassium chlorate and aluminum powder, the same flash powder found in the suspected explosive material used in the explosion, were found in the containers.

Medina served two and a half years in jail after being convicted in 2002 for assault and battery and was prohibited from possessing firearms, ammunition and explosive material.

Medina pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a machine gun, unlawful possession of explosive materials and felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. He was sentenced to 63 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.