Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms Offenses
BOSTON – A Templeton man pleaded guilty today to illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, including an AR-15 short-barreled rifle. John Shaw, 30, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm not identified by serial number. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Jan. 12, 2021. Shaw was arrested in September 2019 and indicted in October 2019.
During the execution of a search warrant at Shaw’s residence on Sept. 24, 2019, an AR-15 short-barreled rifle that did not bear a serial number, over 50 rounds of .22 Long Rifle caliber ammunition, 27 rounds of .357 Sig caliber ammunition, 10 expended brass cartridge cases and one complete round of 30-06 ammunition were seized. Shaw was previously convicted in Winchendon District Court of breaking and entering in the night with intent to commit a felony and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. As a previously convicted felon, Shaw was prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.
The charges each provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Ashburnham Police Chief Loring Barrett, Jr.; Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent; and Hopkinton Police Chief Edward Lee made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
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