SPRINGFIELD MAN CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION
BOSTON - A Springfield man has been named to a federal indictment with three other men for illegally possessing firearms and ammunition.
MANUEL LORA, 22, was charged with illegally possessing firearms and ammunition. Earlier this month, LESLIE EVANS, 20, CODY BROWN, 21, and JORGE MALDONADO, 20, had been charged by indictment with possession of illegal firearms and ammunition. Yesterday, a superseding indictment was filed adding LORA to the case.
The superseding indictment alleges that on May 28, 2011, LORA, after being previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison, possessed a Smith & Wesson M&P, .45 caliber pistol; .45 caliber ammunition; a Smith & Wesson M&P, .40 caliber pistol; .40 caliber ammunition; a Smith & Wesson M&P9C, 9mm pistol; and 9mm ammunition.
If convicted on these charges, LORA, EVANS, and BROWN each face up to 10 years in federal prison while MALDONADO faces up to five years. All four men could receive up to three years of supervised release following their term of incarceration and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Guy Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Hampden County District Attorney Mark Mastroianni, and Springfield Police Commissioner William Fitchet made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of Ortiz's Springfield Branch Office.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
