BOSTON - A Haitian national was charged today in federal court in Boston with illegally possessing a firearm.
Joquentz Constant, 23, a Haitian national residing in Dorchester, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Constant was arrested and charged in January 2019 and has been in custody since.
According to court documents, on Aug. 25, 2018, Constant was found to be in possession of a black Regent. 32 caliber revolver bearing obliterated model and serial numbers and containing five rounds of PPU.32 caliber ammunition and one round of WIN.32 caliber ammunition. Due to prior convictions punishable by more than one year in jail, Constant is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. Constant will be subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. 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; Kelly Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie A. Queenin of Lelling’s Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents 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
