Springfield Man Pleads Guilty to Firearms Charges

BOSTON – A Springfield man pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Springfield to an Information charging him with three firearms offenses.

Benjamin Hunter-Blake, 25, pleaded guilty to one count each of felon in possession of firearm and ammunition, unlawful possession of machinegun, and unlawful possession of unregistered firearm (a silencer). U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for July 2, 2024. 

 On Jan. 27, 2023, five pistols, including a “ghost gun” with an attached “Glock switch” machinegun conversion device; four other Glock switches; a silencer; and a large collection of ammunition, large capacity magazines, and other firearms-related items were seized from Hunter-Blake’s residence in Springfield. Hunter-Blake’s mobile phone was also seized, which contained evidence that Hunter-Blake had been obtaining and distributing other firearms, including to at least one individual with a felony conviction.
    
Hunter-Blake was convicted twice in state court on firearms felonies and is currently under indictment and house arrest for a third state firearms case.

The charge of felon in possession of firearm and ammunition provides for a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and three years of supervised release. The charge of unlawful possession of a machinegun and unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm provides for a sentence of 10 years in prison on each charge and three years of supervised release. Hunter Blake agreed to the forfeiture of the Glock switches and three high-capacity magazines. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Boston Feld Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance provided by the Springfield Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case. 

Source: U.S. ATF, atf.gov