Lawrence Hong, Possession of Firearm by Unlawful User of Controlled Substance, New York 2017

A Canadian man has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as an unlawful user of a controlled substance in New York State.

Lawrence Hong, 21, of Canada, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara in Buffalo, New York.

The charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Hong is scheduled to be sentenced on August 11, 2017, at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael P. Felicetta, Hong was stopped at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry on January 21, 2017, while traveling alone in a 2016 Volkswagen. During a secondary inspection, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer discovered a 9 mm handgun in the vehicle. The officer also found $1,122.00 in cash, a piece of paper containing Xanax pills, hypodermic needles, and elastic bands.

Hong admitted to being a heroin addict who was undergoing methadone treatment. He also stated that he had previously purchased the firearm in the United States and illegally smuggled it into Canada. Additionally, Hong told the officer that he was going to Ohio to purchase another firearm.

The plea is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.

Mandatory facts: Defendant/Respondent Name: Lawrence Hong, Exact Criminal Charges: Possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance, City and State: Buffalo, New York, Exact Date: January 21, 2017, Sentence or Outcome: Up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/canadian-man-pleads-guilty-drug-charge-0