Kevin Sligar, Conspiring to Illegally Possess Firearm and Distribut…

BOSTON – Kevin Sligar, a 30-year-old Springfield man, was today sentenced in U.S. District Court to 10 years in prison for conspiring to illegally possess a firearm and ammunition, as well as conspiring to distribute cocaine.

Sligar, who also faces ten years of supervised release, entered his guilty plea in October 2014. Between April 1, 2012, and July 21, 2012, Sligar operated a drug distribution ring in Springfield with three co-conspirators, distributing at least 300 grams of cocaine and an unspecified amount of marijuana.

Sligar’s criminal activities reached a climax during the night of July 21, 2012. After leaving the Polish Festival in Ludlow, Mass., Sligar and his accomplices were involved in a confrontation that led to the brandishing of a Hi-Point Model C9, 9mm pistol, even though both he and a co-conspirator had previous convictions for firearms-related offenses.

The situation escalated into a high-speed chase with Springfield Police, resulting in a crash at an intersection. Sligar and his three co-conspirators were injured, but the fully loaded pistol was recovered from their vehicle. In another related incident, Sligar pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in Hampden Superior Court.

Today’s announcement was made by United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Daniel J. Kumor of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and Springfield Police Commissioner William John Barbieri. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow from Ortiz’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.