HARRISBURG — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle), published as received.

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that David Eliezer Pagan, age 39, of Vallejo, California; Ramon Antonio Pagan-Acosta, age 30, of York, Pennsylvania; and, Florivette Santiago-Rivera, age 29, of York, Pennsylvania, were charged by indictment with firearm offenses.

According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that between on or about October 26, 2023, and April 9, 2025, the defendants conspired to engage in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, transfer firearms to an out-of-state resident, and make false statements during the purchase of firearms.  The Indictment further alleges that Pagan made at least 29 Cash App transfers to Pagan-Acosta and Santiago-Rivera’s Cash App accounts. The Cash App transfers allegedly ranged in amounts from $120 to $2,000 and totaled approximately $19,024. In turn, Pagan-Acosta allegedly purchased approximately 33 firearms from licensed firearms dealers in Pennsylvania counties, including Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, and York.  And Santago-Rivera allegedly purchased six firearms. When purchasing the firearms, the indictment alleges that Pagan-Acosta and Santiago-Rivera falsely identified themselves on ATF Forms 4473 as the true buyers or transferees.  Moreover, Pagan-Acosta allegedly shipped at least five packages of varying weights from Pennsylvania to Pagan, in California, under the name of a person who did not reside at the same address.

Pagan and Pagan-Acosta are additionally charged in the indictment with conspiracy to straw purchase firearms, conspiracy to traffic firearms, and engaging in business of dealing in firearms without a license.  Finally, all defendants are charged in the indictment with making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.                 

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney K. Wesley Mishoe is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalties for Pagan and Pagan-Acosta are 50 years imprisonment, as well as a term of supervised release following imprisonment, a fine, and the imposition of a special assessment. The maximum penalties for Santiago-Rivera are 15 years’ imprisonment, as well as a term of supervised release following imprisonment, a fine, and the imposition of a special assessment.  A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by a court after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments only contain allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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