Clarence Man Pleads Guilty To Gun Possession While Subject To A Domestic Violence Order

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Michael T. Blajszczak, 53, of Clarence, NY, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a person subject to a domestic violence order of protection before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer. The charge carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a 250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmanuel O. Ulubiyo who is handling the case, stated that a domestic violence order of protection was issued in Cheektowaga, NY, Town Court against the defendant on April 27, 2019, with an expiration date of October 27, 2019. As a result of the order, Blajszczak was prohibited from possessing any firearm during that time period. On May 2, 2019, the defendant knowingly possessed a .22 caliber rifle and 11 rounds of ammunition.

“Recently, Attorney General Barr announced the Project Guardian initiative, which is intended to strengthen our efforts to reduce gun violence by allowing the federal government and our state and local partners better to target offenders who use guns in crimes and those who try to buy or possess guns illegally,” stated U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “This prosecution is brought in furtherance of that initiative and provides an example of how the federal government will work side-by-side with local law enforcement to ensure that individuals who should not have guns will face federal prosecution if they seek to do so.”  

The plea is the result of an investigation by Lancaster Police Department, under the direction of Chief William J. Karn, Jr.; the Amherst Police Department, under the direction of Chief John Askey; the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division.

Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

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