Boston man following ‘anti-government’ ideology facing federal weapons charges after Ruggles arrest

A Boston man has been indicted on federal charges after he was allegedly found in possession of a loaded pistol and ammunition while wearing a bullet-proof vest and a jacket that said “security” on it inside the Ruggles MBTA station last Thanksgiving, according to authorities.Pepo Herd El, who also went by Pepo Wamchawi Herd, 47, of Dorchester, was indicted on two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. El has been held ever since his November arrest. He “appears to adhere to the anti-government/anti-authority sovereign citizen ideology,” according to officials.Authorities say that about a year before he was arrested, El made some purchases online related to firearms and also bought chemicals that could be used to make bombs. Surveillance began the month of his arrest since authorities were worried he could have a firearm or a bomb.Then, on Thanksgiving, authorities allege that El rode the bus from his Dorchester home to the Ruggles station, where he was searched by authorities.“During that search, law enforcement discovered that El was in possession of a loaded semi-automatic pistol, three spare magazines and more than 40 rounds of ammunition,” federal authorities said. “El was also wearing a bullet-proof vest and a jacket that had ‘security’ written on it.”While searching El’s home, authorities also found a fifth magazine that had ammunition that can pierce armor, they said. El is not allowed to have weapons following being convicted in 2004 for having firearms without permits, among other convictions.

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