Canton Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Firearm Offenses

BOSTON – A Canton man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to five counts of drug and firearm charges.

Hollis Owens, 44, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition and four counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for Oct. 19, 2017.

In the spring of 2016, law enforcement officers investigating illegal distribution of cocaine in Framingham made several controlled purchases of cocaine from Owens. In April 2016, a search of Owen’s residence resulted in the seizure of approximately 18 grams of crack cocaine, a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm hand gun, 114 rounds of various caliber ammunition and $1,869 in cash.

Owens is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior state felony conviction.

The charge of being a felon in possession of ammunition provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Soivilien of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.