Taraja Green, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, New York 2024

Rochester, NY, resident Taraja Green, 28, has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or both.

According to U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, Green was found asleep in the driver’s seat of a running vehicle on Seward Street in Rochester on March 17, 2024. When officers approached the vehicle, they saw a 9mm pistol on Green’s lap, which was later discovered to be loaded. Green was previously convicted of a felony in August 2019 in Monroe County Court and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The matter was brought by the United States Attorney’s Office as part of its Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, which aims to reduce violent crime through the partnership of various stakeholders. PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division.

Taraja Green’s exact criminal charges include being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He is currently awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for July 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca.

In this case, Taraja Green’s prior felony conviction in August 2019 in Monroe County Court rendered him ineligible to possess a firearm. The loaded 9mm pistol found on his lap during the March 17, 2024, arrest was a clear violation of this law, and he will face the consequences for his actions.

As part of the PSN initiative, the United States Attorney’s Office is committed to reducing violent crime through the enforcement of laws and the partnership of local stakeholders. This case is a prime example of the effectiveness of this initiative in making our communities safer.

Related Federal Cases