Christopher T. Brown, Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition, New Hampshire 2023

A Dover man has been found guilty of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announced. The defendant, Christopher T. Brown, 38, pleaded guilty to the crime.

Brown was first charged on April 26, 2023, and sentencing was scheduled for May 14, 2024, with U.S. District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe. The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 15 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.

The case began when the defendant’s spouse called emergency services and reported that she and the defendant had an argument. Dover police officers responded to the emergency call at the defendant’s home. The defendant’s spouse consented to a search of the house, and officers found four firearms - two pistols, a .40 caliber rifle, and a 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun. Officers also recovered ammunition.

The defendant later admitted to owning the firearms and knowing that he could not lawfully possess them as a felon. He also admitted that he used a straw purchaser to purchase three of the firearms and asked that straw purchaser to file a false police report that the firearms she bought were stolen.

The investigation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with valuable assistance provided by the Dover Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.

The case highlights the importance of gun safety and the consequences of illegal gun possession. As a felon, Brown knew he was not allowed to possess firearms, and his actions put himself and others at risk.

With his guilty plea, Brown faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for May 14, 2024. The case serves as a reminder of the consequences of breaking the law and the importance of gun safety in our communities.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nh/pr/felon-pleads-guilty-unlawful-possession-four-firearms-and-ammunition