Matthew Shaver, Illegal Firearm Possession, Schenectady NY, 2024
ALBANY, N.Y. – Matthew Shaver, 23, of Schenectady, is facing serious time behind bars after admitting to illegally packing heat despite a prior felony conviction. Shaver pleaded guilty today to possessing a loaded shotgun, a clear violation of federal law.
Federal investigators raided Shaver’s Schenectady residence on December 15, 2022, uncovering the weapon. The discovery came after an investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with support from local law enforcement in Rotterdam, Schenectady, and Schenectady County.
Shaver’s criminal history bars him from owning any firearms. A previous conviction for first-degree assault in New York State automatically disqualifies individuals from legally possessing weapons. He was immediately arrested following the search and has been held in custody ever since, awaiting this guilty plea.
U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman, alongside ATF Special Agent in Charge John B. DeVito and HSI Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino, announced the guilty plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon is leading the prosecution, building a case that clearly demonstrated Shaver’s disregard for the law.
Shaver now faces up to 15 years in federal prison, along with a potential fine of up to $250,000 and a maximum of three years of supervised release after serving his sentence. The final decision rests with U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci, who is scheduled to deliver the sentence on May 29, 2024. The sentence will consider federal guidelines and the specifics of the case.
This case is a key component of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice initiative focused on reducing violent crime. PSN brings together federal, state, and local agencies to target the most dangerous offenders and implement preventative measures. The goal is to address the root causes of violence and create safer communities – a goal often undermined by individuals like Shaver who repeatedly break the law.
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Press Release
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