Naysaan Austin, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Massachusetts 2023

BOSTON MAN CAUGHT WITH ILLEGAL FIREARM

A Boston man has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm after a sting operation in Dorchester. Naysaan Austin, 23, was arrested yesterday and brought before Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley. Austin faces a serious charge, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.

According to the charging document, on June 16, 2019, Austin was arrested for carrying a Sig Sauer .22 caliber Mosquito Pistol loaded with five rounds of ammunition. The serial number on the gun was obliterated. This discovery led to the current charges against Austin, who is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior convictions punishable by more than one year in prison.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) Boston Field Division, in conjunction with the Boston Police Department, investigated the case. United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Boston Field Division; and Boston Chief of Police William G. Gross made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Lelling’s Criminal Division will be prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and making neighborhoods safer. PSN brings together law enforcement and community members to develop effective strategies to combat crime. The charges against Austin are just one example of the efforts being made to keep Boston’s streets safe.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations, and Austin is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The investigation into Austin’s actions is ongoing, and the outcome of the case will be closely watched by the community.

The case serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible gun ownership and the consequences of breaking the law. As the city continues to work towards reducing crime and making neighborhoods safer, cases like this one will be closely monitored to ensure that justice is served.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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