Firearms Trafficking & False Reports to Law Enforcement
News Date: Friday, August 14, 2026
NATURE OF INCIDENT: Firearms Trafficking & False Reports to Law Enforcement
PERSON(S) INVOLVED:
Lewis DeLaCruz-Martinez (35 years of age): 1303 Oak Street, Temple, PA
CHARGES:
DETAILS OF INCIDENT:
Detectives with the Berks County District Attorney's Office Gun Violence Reduction Task Force have filed criminal charges against Lewis DeLaCruz-Martinez following an investigation into an alleged illegal straw purchase of a firearm that was ultimately recovered in the Dominican Republic. The investigation was conducted in partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The investigation began in May 2026 after the ATF notified Berks County Detectives that a firearm purchased in Berks County had been recovered by authorities in the Dominican Republic on December 25, 2025. Federal tracing determined the firearm had been legally purchased in Berks County by DeLaCruz-Martinez 109 days before it was recovered overseas.
During the investigation, detectives determined that on September 21, 2025, DeLaCruz-Martinez purchased a Glock .380-caliber pistol from a federally licensed firearms dealer in the Borough of Mount Penn. Through a review of federal and state firearms transaction records, ATF firearm tracing, and statements obtained throughout the investigation, detectives determined that another individual selected and paid for the firearm while DeLaCruz-Martinez knowingly completed ATF Form 4473 and the Pennsylvania State Police Application/Record of Sale (SP4-113), falsely representing himself as the actual purchaser. Investigators learned that after leaving the firearms dealer, DeLaCruz-Martinez never possessed nor saw the firearm again.
A straw purchase occurs when an individual who is legally eligible to purchase a firearm does so on behalf of another person while falsely claiming to be the actual purchaser. Federal and state firearm purchase forms require buyers to certify, under penalty of law, that they are the true purchaser of the firearm. Providing false information on these forms is a criminal offense.
District Attorney Adams emphasized that straw firearm purchases pose a significant public safety threat because they place firearms into the hands of individuals attempting to circumvent legal background checks and accountability.
On August 14, 2026, DeLaCruz-Martinez surrendered to detectives at the Berks County Services Center where he was escorted to the Berks County Sheriff’s Department Processing Center. At the time of this release, he is currently being processed and arraigned. Bail information is not available.
As with every criminal prosecution, the filing of criminal charges is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Berks County Detectives at (610) 478-7171. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Crime Alert Berks County by calling (877) 373-9913, downloading the ALERTBERKS mobile app, or by texting "ALERTBERKS" followed by your tip to 847411.
PERSON(S) INVOLVED:
Lewis DeLaCruz-Martinez (35 years of age): 1303 Oak Street, Temple, PA
CHARGES:
- Sale or Transfer of Firearms – Materially False Written Statement, a Felony of the Third Degree, in violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 6111(g)(4)(ii).
- Unsworn Falsification to Authorities, a Misdemeanor of the Third Degree, in violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904(b).
Detectives with the Berks County District Attorney's Office Gun Violence Reduction Task Force have filed criminal charges against Lewis DeLaCruz-Martinez following an investigation into an alleged illegal straw purchase of a firearm that was ultimately recovered in the Dominican Republic. The investigation was conducted in partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The investigation began in May 2026 after the ATF notified Berks County Detectives that a firearm purchased in Berks County had been recovered by authorities in the Dominican Republic on December 25, 2025. Federal tracing determined the firearm had been legally purchased in Berks County by DeLaCruz-Martinez 109 days before it was recovered overseas.
During the investigation, detectives determined that on September 21, 2025, DeLaCruz-Martinez purchased a Glock .380-caliber pistol from a federally licensed firearms dealer in the Borough of Mount Penn. Through a review of federal and state firearms transaction records, ATF firearm tracing, and statements obtained throughout the investigation, detectives determined that another individual selected and paid for the firearm while DeLaCruz-Martinez knowingly completed ATF Form 4473 and the Pennsylvania State Police Application/Record of Sale (SP4-113), falsely representing himself as the actual purchaser. Investigators learned that after leaving the firearms dealer, DeLaCruz-Martinez never possessed nor saw the firearm again.
A straw purchase occurs when an individual who is legally eligible to purchase a firearm does so on behalf of another person while falsely claiming to be the actual purchaser. Federal and state firearm purchase forms require buyers to certify, under penalty of law, that they are the true purchaser of the firearm. Providing false information on these forms is a criminal offense.
District Attorney Adams emphasized that straw firearm purchases pose a significant public safety threat because they place firearms into the hands of individuals attempting to circumvent legal background checks and accountability.
On August 14, 2026, DeLaCruz-Martinez surrendered to detectives at the Berks County Services Center where he was escorted to the Berks County Sheriff’s Department Processing Center. At the time of this release, he is currently being processed and arraigned. Bail information is not available.
As with every criminal prosecution, the filing of criminal charges is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Berks County Detectives at (610) 478-7171. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Crime Alert Berks County by calling (877) 373-9913, downloading the ALERTBERKS mobile app, or by texting "ALERTBERKS" followed by your tip to 847411.