A Springfield man is potentially facing decades behind bars after copping to a trio of serious firearms charges in federal court on Monday. Benjamin Hunter-Blake, 25, didn’t put up a fight, pleading guilty to charges that could send him to prison for a lengthy stint: one count of felon in possession of firearm and ammunition, unlawful possession of a machinegun, and unlawful possession of unregistered firearm – specifically, a silencer – as revealed on the Department of Justice website.
U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni has set the sentencing for July 2, where Hunter-Blake could be hit with a maximum of 15 years for the firearm and ammo charges, and an additional 10 years for each of the other charges, not to mention, three years of supervised release thereafter, the DOJ details spill. A raid on his Springfield digs back on January 27, 2023, unearthed an arsenal including five pistols, among them a "ghost gun" kitted out with a "Glock switch" that turns it into a machinegun. Cops also found more such switches, a silencer, and an array of ammunition and magazines.
Prior scraps with the law had already netted Hunter-Blake two firearms felonies in state court, while a third allegation has him cooling his heels under house arrest. If that wasn’t enough, his cell phone bust just added to his woes, showing the man was wheeling and dealing firearms, including to individuals who've been previously convicted of felonies.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy and James M. Ferguson, the Special Agent in Charge of the ATF's Boston Feld Division, Hunter-Blake’s plea was the result of collaborative detective work from the ATF, Springfield Police Department, and the Massachusetts State Police. Levy commended the interagency teamwork that brought Hunter-Blake to his knees. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow, of the Springfield Branch Office, is on deck to prosecute the case.
