Springfield Gang Member Sentenced for Illegally Possessing a Firearm

BOSTON – A member of the La Familia Gang, a national gang with a significant presence in Springfield and Holyoke, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Springfield for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Joshua Ortiz, 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 27 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and forfeiture of the firearm and ammunition.  In December 2015, Ortiz pleaded guilty to the charges.

On Oct.10, 2014, Ortiz possessed a HiPoint Model JHP .45 caliber firearm and eight rounds of .45 caliber ammunition.  Ortiz was spotted with the firearm by law enforcement officers, and fled after discarding the gun in a residential neighborhood.  He was later arrested when he appeared in court on an unrelated matter.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri, made the announcement today.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deepika Bains Shukla of Ortiz’s Springfield Branch Office.