Brockton Man With Felony Record Sentenced For Possessing Firearm

BOSTON – A Brockton man, who is a felon, was sentenced yesterday for possessing a firearm and ammunition.

Foster L. Starks, Jr., 51, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Joseph L. Tauro to 210 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. In 2011, Starks was convicted after a jury trial for possessing a firearm and ammunition after having been convicted of a felony offense. Starks’ criminal record includes nine convictions for armed robbery, as well as convictions for armed robbery while masked, unarmed robbery and armed assault with intent to rob.

On May 24, 2009, Starks was stopped by a Massachusetts State Police Officer while driving on Route 24 North in Taunton. The stop led to the discovery of a handgun and 14 rounds of ammunition in the automobile. It was a violation of federal law for Starks to possess a gun or bullets because he had previously been convicted of a felony.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Gene Marquez, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Colonel Timothy P. Alben, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.