Dover Felon Gets 57 Months for Illegal Gun Stash

CONCORD, NH – Christopher T. Brown, 39, formerly of Dover, is headed to federal prison for nearly five years after being sentenced yesterday for illegally possessing four firearms and ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe handed down the 57-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, after Brown pleaded guilty in February to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

The case unravelled after a domestic dispute. On January 9, 2023, Dover police responded to an emergency call from Brown’s wife, who reported her husband had a gun to his head during an argument. A subsequent search of their home revealed a hidden arsenal: two pistols, a .40 caliber rifle, and a dangerously modified 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun with its serial number deliberately obliterated. Ammunition was also seized.

Federal prosecutors revealed Brown didn’t buy the guns himself. He used a straw purchaser – an individual who illegally buys firearms for someone prohibited from owning them. Brown not only had the woman purchase three of the firearms, but also directed her to file a false police report claiming they were stolen, a desperate attempt to cover his tracks. The straw purchaser previously pleaded guilty to two counts of making false statements related to the firearm acquisitions and received their own sentence on October 25, 2023.

“The defendant used a straw purchaser to unlawfully acquire and possess multiple firearms,” stated U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Individuals prohibited from obtaining firearms cannot use straw purchasers to circumvent federal law. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners will investigate these crimes and bring both the prohibited individuals and the straw purchasers to justice.”

ATF Boston Field Division Special Agent in Charge James M. Ferguson emphasized the danger posed by firearms in the hands of convicted felons. “Firearms possessed by convicted felons often lead to an increase of violent crime within our communities,” Ferguson said. “The sentence imposed yesterday sends a clear message that convicted felons who possess firearms will be held accountable.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) spearheaded the investigation, with crucial support from the Dover Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and lengthy sentence for Brown. This case serves as a stark reminder that attempting to skirt gun laws through illegal means will be met with federal prosecution.