GENEVA, NY – Willis Bowles, 36, is facing a substantial prison sentence after admitting to illegally possessing a firearm, despite a lengthy criminal history. The plea, entered before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford, comes after a raid on his Geneva residence uncovered a loaded Smith & Wesson rifle.
The bust, which occurred June 23, 2023, was conducted by the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators also seized a high-capacity 30-round magazine packed with 22 rounds of ammunition. This wasn’t Bowles’ first run-in with gun laws. He was previously convicted of gun felonies in Florida in both 2006 and 2007, making any subsequent firearm possession a federal offense.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Everardo A. Rodriguez is prosecuting the case, and laid out the grim reality for Bowles: a maximum penalty of 15 years behind bars and a $250,000 fine. For a man with prior convictions, this latest charge could mean a long stretch added to his record.
The investigation was a collaborative effort, involving the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff David Cirencione, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led by Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito, and the Geneva Police Department headed by Chief Matt Colton. Authorities haven’t released details on how they initially came to suspect Bowles of possessing the weapon, but the search warrant suggests they had probable cause.
The ATF’s involvement underscores the agency’s focus on preventing firearms from falling into the hands of convicted felons. With gun violence a persistent national problem, federal agencies are increasingly cracking down on individuals illegally possessing weapons. This case is a clear example of that enforcement.
Bowles is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10, 2024, before Judge Wolford. At that time, the judge will consider his criminal history and the specifics of this case when determining the appropriate punishment. For now, Bowles remains a convicted felon awaiting his fate, a stark reminder of the consequences of breaking the law – repeatedly.
Related Federal Cases
- Willis Bowles, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, New York 2023 · Alabama
- Patrick Willie Smith, Gun Possession with Loaded Firearm, FL 2024 · Virginia
- Chamberlain Chaney, Gun Possession with Stolen Firearm, FL 2024 · Virginia
- Max Chambers, Machine Gun Possession, Florida 2019 · Ohio
- Perez Charged with Gun Possession · Florida
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