Manchester Man Sentenced to 30 Months for Unlawful Possession of Gun and Ammunition

           CONCORD - Joseph Taylor, 31, of Manchester, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.

           According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 9, 2020, Manchester police officers stopped a car operated by Taylor after observing suspected drug activity and a motor vehicle violation.  Taylor agreed to speak with the detectives outside the car.  The detectives asked Taylor if he had anything illegal on him and he said he did not.  After he consented to a search of his person and car, detectives found over $1,800 and a loaded 9mm handgun hidden in an area behind the glove compartment.  Detectives later learned the firearm was stolen. 

           Taylor admitted he was a convicted felon and that he had the firearm for protection.  He explained it was hidden because he knew he could not possess a firearm as a convicted felon. 

           Taylor previously pleaded guilty on January 13, 2021.

           “In order to keep our communities safe from violent crime, we must keep guns out of the hands of criminals,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley.  “Thanks to good police work, this armed criminal has been brought to justice.  To help prevent violent crime, we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute criminals who possess firearms unlawfully.”

            This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra M. Walsh.

            The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which is a federally-funded program intended to reduce gun violence through law enforcement training, public education, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes. 

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