Satron Pridgen, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Massachusetts 2024

Fitchburg Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Firearm Offense

BOSTON – A frightening incident in Fitchburg has led to a serious conviction. On September 16, 2023, Satron Pridgen, 45, was involved in an altercation outside Mill City Pub in Fitchburg. During the altercation, Pridgen approached a third man from behind, grabbed him and held him around the neck in a chokehold, then pulled out a loaded pistol which he used to beat the man in the head multiple times.

When law enforcement intervened, Pridgen ran off and attempted to discard the firearm by a dumpster before being apprehended. Despite his attempts, Pridgen was taken into custody and subsequently charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Pridgen is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to numerous prior convictions out of Worcester Superior Court. These convictions include: a November 1999 conviction of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon for which he was sentenced to 9-10 years in state prison; an October 2011 conviction of armed assault with intent to rob, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury and possession of a firearm and ammunition as a career criminal for which he was sentenced to 10-12 years in state prison; and an October 2011 conviction of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and distribution of cocaine, for which he was sentenced to 9-10 years in state prison.

Satron Pridgen, a Fitchburg man, was sentenced yesterday in Worcester federal court for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to three years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. In May 2024, Pridgen pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of the Worcester Branch Office.

Satron Pridgen’s crime is a stark reminder of the dangers of gun violence and the importance of enforcing laws that prohibit felons from possessing firearms. We hope that this conviction will serve as a deterrent to others who would engage in similar behavior.

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