Omri Green, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, New York 2023

ROCHESTER, NY – A late-night confrontation in a Rochester alley landed 28-year-old Omri Green in federal court, and ultimately, behind bars for five years. Green was sentenced Thursday to 60 months in prison after being convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The bust unfolded in the early hours of October 15, 2022, when Rochester Police officers on “bar detail” – a routine patrol of the downtown entertainment district – heard gunshots near Haags Alley and Richmond Street. Responding officers found Green and another individual. A quick pat-down revealed a loaded .40 caliber handgun tucked into Green’s waistband. A single .40 caliber ammunition casing was also recovered nearby on Charlotte Street, adding to the evidence.

This wasn’t Green’s first run-in with the law. In 2014, he was convicted of a felony, automatically disqualifying him from legally owning a firearm or ammunition. The discovery of the handgun sealed his fate, triggering a federal investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in conjunction with the Rochester Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie Kocher, who prosecuted the case, presented the evidence to U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford, securing the five-year sentence. The Department of Justice, through U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross, highlighted the case as a key component of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a multi-agency initiative aimed at curbing violent crime and gun violence.

PSN, according to the DOJ, focuses on building trust with communities, supporting local anti-violence groups, and strategically targeting enforcement efforts. While the program’s effectiveness is often debated, it remains a cornerstone of federal law enforcement strategy in cities across the country.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Rochester Police Department, under Chief David Smith, and the ATF’s New York Field Division, led by Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito. This conviction sends a clear message: Rochester’s streets are being watched, and those caught illegally wielding firearms will face serious federal consequences.

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