Antonio Eldridge, 28, of Buffalo, NY, is headed to federal prison after being caught with a loaded rifle in a home where children were present. Convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, Eldridge was sentenced to 12 months behind bars by U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Arcara in a Buffalo courtroom.
The case traces back to March 11, 2016, when Buffalo Police got a call that a convicted felon had brandished a firearm in front of children. Officers responding to the scene at the residence on the city’s East Side found the home empty—except for a crawl space in the basement where Eldridge was hiding. He was pulled out and taken into custody without incident.
Inside the home, under a mattress in one of the bedrooms, police recovered a Winchester Model 69A .22 caliber rifle. The weapon was operable, loaded, and within reach of minors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Cullinane, who prosecuted the case, emphasized the danger posed by a known felon storing a firearm in a home full of kids.
Eldridge’s criminal history barred him from possessing any firearm under federal law. His prior felony conviction triggered enhanced penalties, making the charge a federal offense. Prosecutors argued for stiff punishment, noting the reckless environment created by the defendant’s actions.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Buffalo Police Department, led by Commissioner Daniel Derenda, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), under Special Agent in Charge Ashan Benedict, New York Field Division. Agents said the collaboration was key to building a solid federal case.
Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced the sentencing outcome, underscoring the ongoing push to remove illegal guns from high-risk individuals. Eldridge will serve 12 months in federal prison, followed by supervised release. The case highlights the dangers of unsecured firearms and the federal crackdown on repeat offenders toting heat in Western New York.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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