Springfield Man Indicted on Federal Firearm Charge

BOSTON – Joshua Ortiz, 23, of Springfield, was indicted in U.S. District Court in Springfield for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The indictment alleges that on Oct. 10, 2014, Ortiz possessed a HiPoint Model JHP .45 caliber firearm and eight rounds of ammunition.

The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm provides a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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

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.