BOSTON, MA – A 24-year-old Brookline man is headed to federal prison after a bizarre traffic stop revealed a cache of illegal weaponry. Stewart Silvestri was sentenced to 42 months behind bars by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper after pleading guilty to one count of unlawful possession of machine guns.
The trouble began October 15, 2022, when multiple 911 calls reported an erratic driver weaving along Route 95 in Rowley, Massachusetts. State Police found Silvestri pulled over at a weigh station, claiming he’d just left an armory in New Hampshire. The situation quickly escalated when officers observed what appeared to be firearms beneath the driver. A thorough search of Silvestri’s vehicle uncovered a frightening arsenal: 14 privately made firearms – commonly known as ‘ghost guns’ – alongside hundreds of rounds of ammunition and a disturbing collection of firearm parts.
Two of those ‘ghost guns’ weren’t just assembled weapons; they were fully automatic pistols, legally classified as machine guns. The discovery immediately triggered a federal investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Silvestri had no legal authorization to possess such weapons. Federal prosecutors quickly moved to secure charges and a conviction.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy emphasized the seriousness of the case. “This sentence sends a clear message that illegally possessing machine guns will not be tolerated,” Levy stated. James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Boston Field Division, echoed that sentiment, highlighting the agency’s commitment to dismantling illegal firearms trafficking networks.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit. Law enforcement officials also included Interim Colonel John E. Mawn Jr. of the Massachusetts State Police and Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker. The prosecution framed the case as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by bolstering cooperation between law enforcement and local communities.
While authorities tout PSN as a solution, the incident raises questions about the increasing prevalence of ‘ghost guns’ – firearms assembled from kits and lacking serial numbers, making them difficult to trace. Silvestri’s case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by these unregulated weapons and the ongoing challenges facing law enforcement in keeping Massachusetts streets safe.
Related Federal Cases
- Stewart Silvestri, Machine Guns, Brookline MA, 2023 · Massachusetts
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- Joshua Starr Sentenced for Federal Weapon Possession, Berlin NH, 2023 · Massachusetts
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