BOSTON - A North Brookfield man was charged today in federal court in Worcester with unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition.
Seth Decoteau, 36, was indicted on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.
The indictment alleges that on June 8, 2018, Decoteau possessed a 20 gauge bolt action shotgun, a 12 gauge shotgun, a.22 caliber bolt action rifle, a short-barreled rifle, a silencer, and approximately 1,225 rounds ammunition. Decoteau is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior felony conviction.
The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, a minimum of one year and no greater than three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of an unregistered firearm provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, a minimum of one year and no greater than three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Lawrence J. Panetta, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and North Brookfield Police Chief of Police Mark Smith made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elysa Q. Wan, of Lelling’s Criminal Division, and Greg A. Friedholm, Chief of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office, are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
