A New York City man has received a sentence of probation for having a handbag with a wiped-out serial number. Steven Gomez, 23, from Bayside, New York, will serve 3 years of probation, including 50 hours of community service, per the sentencing handed down today.
According to a release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, Gomez's plea deal confessed to possessing an illegal Glock 17 in a shopping mall parking lot on September 8, 2022. The case was brought to court by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss and investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The announcement accompanied statements from two officials. U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III emphasized the risks that illicit firearm possession carries to public safety and reassured that his office would continue to strictly enforce gun laws. "Those who unlawfully possess firearms endanger the public and will face criminal consequences," Sarcone III communicated, pledging a hardline stance to keep communities safe, as per the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Adding to the seriousness of the matter, HSI Buffalo Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan described illegal weapons like the handgun in Gomez's possession as more than just a legal violation. "The possession of a handgun with an obliterated serial number is not just a violation of the law; it poses a significant threat to the safety of our citizens," Keegan commented. His agency, collaborating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, aims to foster a safer environment for Northern New Yorkers through diligent enforcement and prosecution.
