New Bedford Armed Career Criminal sent to State Prison
Bristol County District Attorney’s Office
Thomas M. Quinn III
District Attorney
Press Release
December 5, 2018
Christopher Hansen, a 32 year old New Bedford man, was convicted after a jury trial on November 15, 2018 and sentenced in the Fall River Superior Court on December 4, 2018 for firearms offenses stemming from a search warrant of the defendant’s apartment, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.
On July 28, 2015, the New Bedford Police Department Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at the defendant’s New Bedford apartment, 434 North Front Street, Apartment 1. The defendant was the listed target of the warrant. After police observed the defendant, his girlfriend and their child leave the apartment in a vehicle they conducted a motor vehicle stop. Police brought the defendant back to the apartment. While Police searched a bedroom identified as the belonging to the defendant and his girlfriend, they located several handguns. The defendant claimed ownership of two firearms. The police also located a small amount of marijuana and in a separate bedroom located one bag of cocaine. The defendant was also charged as an Armed Career Criminal. After a jury trial the defendant was convicted of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm while at Home or Work (2 counts) and Possessing over one Ounce of Marijuana. The defendant was acquitted of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine. After the jury verdict, the defendant plead guilty to the Armed Career Criminal Enhancements.
At sentencing the Commonwealth, represented by Assistant District Attorney Daniel Walsh, recommended a 3 to 5 year state prison sentence. The Defendant recommended a 3 year State Prison sentence. Judge Renee Dupuis imposed a State Prison sentence of 3 years to 5 years.
“This defendant, a convicted felon, has no business possessing illegal firearms.” District Attorney Quinn said. “This so often results in senseless violence”.
Contact:
Jennifer Sowa
Second Assistant District Attorney
508-997-0711
401-533-0092–cell