2 Pawtucket residents face multiple weapons charges

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Two Rhode Island residents are facing several charges in connection with the alleged trafficking and possession of firearms, including a so-called ghost gun, the state attorney general’s office announced Monday.

Brian Watson, 33, and Zaira Lozada, 32, both of Pawtucket, were arrested in April following a monthslong investigation by federal and local law enforcement authorities, and are scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 12, the office said in a statement.

No attorneys were listed for either suspect in online court records.

Watson and Lozada allegedly sold at least six firearms in 2020 and 2021, including to those who are legally prohibited from possessing guns, prosecutors said.

Authorities who raided a Pawtucket apartment found several weapons, including a ghost gun, usually assembled at home and without a serial number, making it difficult to trace.

“This case has all the attributes of what is driving urban violent crime: the trafficking of multiple firearms to convicted felons, the possession and use of difficult to trace ghost guns, the proliferation of ammunition among criminals like it’s candy, and the use of high-capacity magazines,” Attorney General Neronha said in a statement.