New York Man Admits Unlawfully Possessing Firearm as Previously Convicted Felon
TRENTON, N.J. – A New York man with prior felony convictions today admitted illegally possessing a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Kevon Belfon, 35, of Jamaica, New York, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp to an information charging him with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On July 24, 2020, Belfon knowingly possessed a Taurus 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition in his vehicle in Stafford Township, New Jersey. Belfon has two prior felony convictions, one of which involved a firearm. As a previously convicted felon, Belfon is not permitted to possess firearms.
The charge of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 13, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Newark Division, Trenton Field Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Craig B. Kailimai; and the Stafford Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Thomas Dellane, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensured that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian D. Brater of the Criminal Division in Trenton.
