Ashburnham Man Pleads Guilty to Firearms Offenses
BOSTON – An Ashburnham man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Worcester to selling firearms on three occasions in 2019 in Fitchburg.
Terrick Bishoff, 39, pleaded guilty to one count each of unlawful possession or transfer of a machine gun, dealing in firearms without a license and possession of a machinegun without a serial number. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy J. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Oct. 27, 2020. Bishoff was arrested on Sept. 24, 2019 and indicted in October 2019.
On three separate occasions in 2019, Bishoff sold firearms to an individual he did not know in Fitchburg. On May 10, 2019, Bishoff sold a Glock-style pistol without a serial number and 54 rounds of 9mm ammunition in exchange for $580. Bishoff told the buyer that the firearm was “untraceable” and that it had been custom made for a silencer. On May 15, 2019, Bishoff again met with the buyer and sold him a machinegun without a serial number and a 25 round magazine. In return, the individual paid Bishoff $2,500. On June 24, 2019, Bishoff sold the buyer a Glock-style firearm without a serial number, and a magazine, in exchange for $800. Bishoff told the buyer he was getting what he could before authorities started cracking down on firearms without serial numbers.
The charge of unlawful possession or transfer of a machine gun provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of dealing in firearms without a license provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession of a machinegun without a serial number provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $10,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Ashburnham Police Chief Lorring Barrett, Jr.; Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent; and Hopkinton Police Chief Joseph Bennett made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle L. Dineen Jerrett and Kristen Noto of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office are prosecuting the case.
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