Department of Justice

BOSTON – A New Bedford man was indicted today by a federal grand jury with illegally possessing three firearms and ammunition. Jose Montanez, 23, was indicted on one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition while being a convicted felon. Montanez will make an appearance in federal court in Boston tomorrow.

According to the indictment, on or about July 20, 2020, Montanez possessed a Smith and Wesson .380 Bodyguard; an H&R .22 caliber revolver; a Springfield XD-40 .40 caliber handgun; 6 rounds of .380 ammunition; and 279 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition inside of a hotel room he was staying in.

The charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement today. Assistant United States Attorney Evan Gotlob of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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