A Rotterdam man, previously convicted of felony offenses, has been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison for illegal gun possession. Jesse Taber, 46, received a 27-month sentence for having a shotgun in his home on December 26, 2023, despite having a criminal record that prohibits him from owning firearms. The sentencing was handed down in the U.S. District Court with United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino presiding, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Taber pleaded guilty to the charges, acknowledging that he indeed possessed the 12-gauge Stoeger Coach Gun. In addition to the time behind bars, Taber faces a three-year term of supervised release once he is free from prison. This prosecution is part of a broader initiative to crack down on violent crime, with the Department of Justice's Project Safe Neighborhoods at the helm of these efforts.
After his release, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program deemed effective at curbing violent crime, will include Taber in its fold. PSN brings together a wide array of community stakeholders to devise and implement comprehensive strategies tackling serious violent crime issues. Part of this approach involves focusing law enforcement on the most dangerous offenders and supporting local prevention and reentry programs to ensure sustained crime reduction.
The case against Taber was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with the Rotterdam Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss leading the prosecution. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller emphasized their commitment to targeting individuals who pose a significant threat to community safety. People interested in learning more about the PSN initiative and their objectives can visit its official website for detailed information.
