Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Gun Charge
Erick Arroyo-Cruz, 34, a Rochester resident, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
The crime occurred just one day after his release from prison on another offense. On March 8, 2018, Arroyo-Cruz possessed a .22 caliber pistol loaded with eight rounds of ammunition, while traveling in a vehicle on North Clinton Avenue in Rochester.
Rochester Police Officers stopped the car to execute an existing arrest warrant for the driver of the vehicle, and during the search, the loaded pistol was found in Arroyo-Cruz’s jacket pocket. The defendant was previously convicted in state court of 1st degree knowingly possessing dangerous contraband in prison.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan Benedict, New York Field Division, and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant was searched and the officers found the loaded pistol in his jacket pocket. The crime highlights the importance of law enforcement efforts to prevent felons from possessing firearms.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 14, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. before Chief Judge Frank P. Geraci. Contact information for Barbara Burns is available at (716) 843-5817 or (716) 551-3051.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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