BROCKTON, MA – A wrecked car and the smell of tequila led Brockton police to a loaded handgun and a man already legally barred from owning one. Michael Whitfield, 42, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.
The case began March 6th, when officers responded to a motor vehicle accident. Whitfield’s vehicle sustained heavy damage, with the airbag deployed and the passenger side door window shattered. According to charging documents, a potent odor of alcohol permeated the car, and an empty tequila bottle sat on the passenger seat floor. But it was what officers found on the driver’s side floorboard that triggered the federal investigation: a Glock 19X .9mm pistol loaded with 18 rounds.
Whitfield’s prior criminal history makes even possession of a single bullet illegal. He was previously convicted of a felony in 2006, automatically disqualifying him from owning firearms or ammunition. Federal prosecutors are now seeking to put him behind bars for up to 15 years, along with a potential $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release after serving his time.
“This indictment sends a clear message: we will aggressively pursue those who illegally possess firearms, especially individuals with prior felony convictions,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy. James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Boston Field Division, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to keeping weapons out of the hands of dangerous individuals.
The investigation wasn’t a solo effort. The Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police, Brockton Police Department, and Brockton Fire Department all contributed to the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit is handling the prosecution. Whitfield, who was initially charged by criminal complaint on September 13th, is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The charges contained in the indictment are allegations, and Whitfield will have the opportunity to present a defense in court. However, the discovery of a loaded firearm in a wrecked vehicle after a suspected DUI incident paints a dangerous picture, one federal prosecutors are determined to prove in court. The case highlights the ongoing struggle to control illegal gun possession in Massachusetts and the collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies to address the issue.
Related Federal Cases
- Michael Whitfield, Gun Possession, Brockton MA, 2023 · Massachusetts
- Michael Younge, Gun Possession, Massachusetts 2024 · Massachusetts
- Michael Jon Gelagotis, Bomb Possession, Vermont 2024 · Vermont
- Harry Whitley, Glock Switch Trafficking, NH, 2024 · Connecticut
- Federal Defendant Sentenced for Weapons Possession, New York NY, 1983 · Massachusetts
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
