Department of Justice

BOSTON – A New Bedford man was sentenced yesterday for illegally possessing three firearms and ammunition.

Jose Montanez, 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to three years in prison and three years of supervised release. On June 2, 2021, Montanez pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition while being a convicted felon.

On or about July 20, 2020, Montanez had a Smith and Wesson .380 Bodyguard; an H&R .22 caliber revolver; a Springfield XD-40 .40 caliber handgun; six rounds of .380 ammunition; and 279 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition inside of a hotel room in which he was staying. Federal law prohibits Montanez from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction.

The charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth G. Shine and Evan Gotlob of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.