A Boston man was arrested and charged on April 15 with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, according to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address gun violence and enforce firearms laws. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts advances community initiatives on civil rights and violence prevention, according to the official website.
Hakeem Cooper, 21, was taken into custody after police allegedly found a loaded Taurus PT111 Millenium G2 9mm pistol in his waistband during an arrest in Brookline on March 17. Cooper appeared in U.S. District Court in Boston for an initial hearing on one count of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Authorities said that Cooper is prohibited from possessing ammunition due to prior convictions for trafficking controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute a class B controlled substance.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000. Sentencing decisions are made by federal judges based on established guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the charges along with Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. “Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and Brookline Police Department,” Foley said. Assistant United States Attorney Allegra Flamm is prosecuting the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office serves all residents across Massachusetts through offices at the John Joseph Moakley United States Federal Courthouse in Boston as well as branches in Springfield and Worcester according to its official website. The office employs over 200 attorneys, paralegals, and professional staff according to its official website.
As part of the United States Department of Justice according to its official website, this office enforces federal laws through prosecutions involving national security threats or civil rights violations according to its official website. It handles both criminal prosecutions and civil litigation for the United States government while promoting public safety throughout Massachusetts according to its official website.
Authorities remind that “the details contained in the charging documents are allegations” and that “the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”