Stephen Reed Pattison, Possession of Firearms and Ammunition, New York 2022

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – A Hilton man is headed to prison for his role in a firearm-related crime. On October 30, 2020, law enforcement officers conducted a search of the Church Road residence that Stephen Reed Pattison, 33, shared with his girlfriend and recovered two firearms, 25 rounds of ammunition, a black tactical vest with an expandable baton and knife, and various items of white supremacist and Nazi paraphernalia.

Pattison, a convicted felon, was previously convicted of Domestic Assault in the Second Degree in Boone County, Missouri, in December 2016. This conviction legally prohibited him from possessing firearms and ammunition. Despite this, Pattison continued to accumulate firearms and ammunition, which he attempted to conceal by ordering his girlfriend to lie to police and testify falsely.

According to a complaint against Pattison, he is a supporter of white supremacist ideology who frequently expressed racial animus and disdain for activist and political groups, such as Black Lives Matter and Antifa. He also aggressively and sometimes violently expressed his disagreement with local protests in Rochester over the deaths of George Floyd and Daniel Prude.

Pattison’s sentencing of 96 months in prison is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Joint Terrorism Task Force of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey handled the case.

The sentencing marks a significant blow to Pattison’s plans to continue his white supremacist activities and poses a threat to public safety. The investigation and subsequent sentencing demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to protecting the community from violent extremism.

Pattison’s case is a stark reminder of the dangers of hate groups and the importance of continued vigilance in the face of extremism. The work of law enforcement agencies like the Rochester Joint Terrorism Task Force is crucial in preventing and investigating these types of crimes.

In related news, Pattison’s girlfriend, who assisted in his attempts to obstruct justice, has not been charged in connection with the case.

Mandatory Facts:

Defendant: Stephen Reed Pattison
Criminal Charges: Possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon
City and State: Rochester, NY
Date: October 30, 2020 (search and arrest)
Sentence: 96 months in prison

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