Michael Younge, Gun Possession, Massachusetts 2024

HYANNIS MAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR GUN CRIME

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BOSTON – A Hyannis man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

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Donnell Pina, 52, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Judge William G. Young to 10 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

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In March 2025, Pina pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. In November 2022, Pina, along with co-defendant Ryan Diefenbach, was indicted by a federal grand jury.

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In September 2021, Pina and Diefenbach possessed a Chinese SKS .762 caliber rifle. In September 2021, Pina sold two firearms – the Chinese SKS .762 caliber rifle and a Walther Colt M4 Carbine .22LR caliber semi-automatic rifle – to a confidential informant working with federal law enforcement in two separate transactions on Cape Cod.

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Due to prior felony convictions, both Pina and Diefenbach are prohibited from possessing firearms. In October 2024, Diefenbach was sentenced to six years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.

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“This case is a stark reminder of the importance of Project Safe Neighborhoods in reducing gun violence and keeping our communities safe,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “We will continue to work tirelessly to hold accountable those who choose to flout the law and put our communities at risk.”

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Scott Riordan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division, added, “The ATF is committed to reducing gun violence in our communities, and we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to achieve this goal.”

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Assistant United States Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

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This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

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On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

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For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

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