A Hyde Park man has been handed a 51-month prison sentence after being convicted for illegal possession of a loaded firearm, marking his third conviction related to firearm offenses. King Belin, 38, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
During a routine traffic stop in December 2020, after failing to yield at an intersection, Belin, the gun found tucked into his waistband, nearly collided with a vehicle. Law enforcement discovered a Smith & Wesson, Model SD40VE .40 caliber pistol, loaded with 14 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition on him. Belin's attempt to escape sparked a brief physical altercation before he was apprehended.
This incident occurred while Belin was on federal supervised release for a 2015 conviction of a similar nature, for which he served 71 months in prison. In 2010, he was also sentenced to state prison for carrying a loaded firearm without a license.
Reiterated by the Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Special Agent in Charge James M. Ferguson, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' involvement underscores the rigorous enforcement measures targeting repeat offenders under Project Safe Neighborhoods. Despite ongoing efforts, the defendant, destined to repeat a cycle, seems to remain ensnared in a recurring narrative of firearm possession.
The Office of the U.S. Attorney announced the culmination of the case, highlighting Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence. This strategy includes fostering community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, and measuring outcomes of these enforcement efforts.
