A Springfield man is set to spend the next nine years behind bars following his sentence for a slew of firearms charges. Benjamin Hunter-Blake, 25, received his sentence in federal court in Springfield, with U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni presiding. Hunter-Blake has been handed a 114-month prison sentence to be followed by 36 months of supervised release, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office press release.
Earlier in April 2024, Hunter-Blake pled guilty to each charges that included being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition, unlawful possession of machinegun, and unlawful possession of unregistered firearm – namely, a silencer. The investigation had previously uncovered a cache of weapons in Hunter-Blake’s home on January 27, 2023. This arsenal comprised five pistols, one of which was equipped with an illegal Glock switch machinegun conversion device, alongside an assault rifle style pistol complete with silencer and loaded high-capacity drum magazine holding 22 rounds of ammunition. Four additional Glock switches were found, as well as a selection of ammunition, large capacity magazines, and other firearms-related paraphernalia.
The search didn’t just turn up firearms; Hunter-Blake’s mobile phone was also seized and exhibited evidence that he had been dealing in firearms, including the aforementioned Glock switches. The phone's data indicated transfers to other individuals, including at least one person with a felony conviction. This criminal venture transpired even as Hunter-Blake was previously convicted on two occasions for state firearms felonies and was under house arrest awaiting trial for a third state firearms case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and James M. Ferguson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Boston Feld Division, announced the sentencing, acknowledging the cooperation of the Springfield Police Department and Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow led the prosecution of a case that has culminated in a significant sentence for Hunter-Blake, reflecting the severity of the offenses and marking a clear message against the illicit firearms trade.
It's not often that such an extensive personal arsenal is uncovered, nor that it happens alongside evidence of an ongoing gun distribution operation. As Hunter-Blake prepares for his lengthy prison term, law enforcement authorities continue to emphasize their commitment to tackling gun violence and illegal firearms distribution.
