Michael Morris, Felon in Possession of Ammunition, New York 2022

Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Felon in Possession of Ammunition Charge

A 37-year-old Rochester man has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross. Michael Morris, 37, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to the charge before U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Morris has three prior felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing ammunition.

The investigation that led to Morris's arrest began on May 27, 2021, at a corner store on North Street in Rochester. Two groups of men appeared to exchange words and began pushing and shoving one another outside the store. Morris and an unidentified individual produced firearms and exchanged gunfire before fleeing the area. Rochester Police Officers responded and secured a cartridge case that had been ejected from Morris's pistol, as well as video footage from both inside and outside of the store. Morris was identified as one of the shooters in the video.

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 John B. Devito, the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, and the U.S. Marshals Task Force, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 7, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Larimer.

Contact: Barbara Burns, (716) 843-5817, (716) 551-3051

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/prior-felon-pleads-guilty-possessing-ammunition