BOSTON — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Massachusetts), published as received.
BOSTON – Two men were detained following initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Worcester today after being charged last week with illegal firearms possession.
Antwone Bennett, 21, and Darilton Matias, 21, both of Worcester, were charged in separate indictments with each being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition. Both defendants were detained following initial appearances before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy.
According to the indictment, Bennett, a convicted felon, possessed four rounds of Winchester 357 MAG ammunition and two rounds of Hornady 357 MAG ammunition. On Oct. 1, 2015, Bennett was arrested on a Worcester street at which time officers recovered a loaded firearm that he was carrying. Matias, also a convicted felon, allegedly possessed a K.B.I. brand .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun. He was arrested on state charges in August 2015.
Although Bennett and Matias are not charged in relation to all of the firearms seized, in total, eight firearms were recovered during this joint operation which was initiated to combat gang violence in the Worcester area.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. If the defendants are determined to be armed career criminals, the statutes provides a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and up to a lifetime, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State; Worcester Police Chief Gary J. Gemme; and Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr., made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cory Flashner of Ortiz’s Worcester Branch Office.
The details contained in the indictments are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
