BOSTON - A 27-year-old repeat gun offender was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a 2010 shooting in Boston.
In January 2012, Kevin Johnson, of Boston, was by a jury of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Today Judge Denise J. Casper sentenced him to 120 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, during which time he is prohibited from entering the City of Boston.
On Feb. 12, 2010 police responded to a ShotSpotter gunfire detection system alert to the area of Blue Hill Avenue and Intervale Street for two sets of gunshots, from what appeared to be two groups of shooters.
A 911 caller and eyewitness reported observing the shooting incident from a close distance on Blue Hill Avenue and provided a physical, clothing and direction of flight description to the police. The caller also reported that “some guys” came out from Creston Street onto Blue Hill Avenue, and the shooter -- who appeared to be by himself, was shooting towards them as they fled up Blue Hill Avenue. No one was struck by the gunfire, but a vehicle was struck in the area of the gas tank fill by a bullet.
Minutes later and a short distance away, officers observed a male, who was later identified as Johnson, matching the description provided by a 911 caller exiting the side of a house on Devon Street. As soon as Johnson saw the officers, he fled with officers in pursuit. Johnson was eventually apprehended, at which time he provided a false name to police.
Police recovered a HiPoint 9mm semi-automatic pistol with the serial number obliterated, from the area, and gunshot residue trace evidence was taken from Johnson for testing at the station. When Johnson was advised that the test was going to be conducted, he immediately began rubbing his hands on his pants in an attempt to remove the trace evidence. This test determined that Johnson had recently fired a firearm.
Examination of the firearm and ammunition revealed that the 8 - 9mm Luger cartridge casings and two projectiles found at the scene at 368 Blue Hill Avenue were fired by the same firearm, the HiPoint 9mm with an obliterated serial number that was recovered after Johnson discarded it at Devon Street.
During the sentencing hearing, the prosecutor told the court that Johnson’s criminal history included two prior gun-related offenses. Johnson was previously convicted in federal court in 2007 on an illegal gun charge and was under court supervision at the time of this shooting incident. Additionally, the government detailed the obvious danger to the public caused by Johnson, firing a semi-automatic weapon more than eight times at his rivals who fled on a crowded Boston street, narrowly missing numerous innocent bystanders.
U.S. Attorney Ortiz praised the joint effort, saying, “As this conviction and sentence reflects, the partnerships among local, state and federal law enforcement are hard at work. This effort should send a clear message to other potential offenders that we are focused on violent offenders and firearm crime. I commend all of the investigators and prosecutors whose persistence and hard work resulted in the removal of an extremely dangerous individual from the streets of Boston. Every day that violent offenders like these are off the streets of Boston, the community is safer.”
The case commenced when Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s Office referred the case for federal prosecution. U.S. Attorney Ortiz; Guy Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis made the announcement today. The case was prosecuted by prosecutors in Ortiz’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit.
