Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm
BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Kaylen Edwards, 24, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to being a felon-in-possession of a firearm before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan E. Leydecker, who is handling the case, stated that on November 7, 2020, Edwards was identified on social media flashing a black and silver handgun and wearing a distinct black and red jacket inside a limousine bus. Later that day, law enforcement sent a photo of the social media post to Cheektowaga Police Officers responding to Pinehurst Avenue, where a limousine bus party was being let out, following a report of disorderly persons. Officers observed Edwards getting into the front passenger seat of a vehicle with Georgia license plates and leave the area. The officers then observed the vehicle in violation of multiple vehicle and traffic infractions and conducted a traffic stop. The officers observed a marijuana cigar end in the center console area and immediately detected the odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Officers identified Edwards as the passenger, and he was detained. During a pat frisk, an officer felt and observed a handgun in Edwards’ side waist band, which was loaded with a magazine containing seven .45 caliber rounds and one .45 caliber round in the chamber. In November 2017, Edwards was convicted of Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in New York State Court and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Gould, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for February 6, 2023, before Judge Vilardo.
