Assault rifle stolen from Worcester armory recovered from Dorchester woman

Ashley Bigsbee, 26, is charged with unlawful possession of a machine gun and making false statements, authorities said.

Former Army reservist James Earl Morales was earlier arrested on New York’s Long Island and faces charges in the break-in and theft of 16 firearms in all from the armory earlier this month.

Bigsbee was arrested Friday on an outstanding warrant, according to a statement issued by the U.S. Attorney’s office.

But when investigators searched Bigsbee’s phone, they discovered a photograph of her tattooed left hand holding a Sig Sauer handgun, and another photograph of what appeared to be an M-4 assault rifle, an affidavit said.

According to authorities, Morales told Federal Bureau of Investigation agents that Bigsbee introduced him to a man who arranged the sale of five handguns to two other men.

Before her arrest, officials said she voluntarily spoke with Federal Bureau of Investigation agents and denied knowing anything about a robbery of the armory in Worcester. She allegedly purchased an M-4 assault rifle from the NY man who robbed the armory.

A search warrant was executed for a residence on Page Street in Dorchester, but no weapons were recovered.

In a related development, the final stolen M-4 was recovered by law enforcement agents in Dorchester on the afternoon of November 27.

Bigsbee had an initial appearance today in U.S. District Court in Worcester before Magistrate Judge David Hennessey.