Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Larry Watkins, Jr., 54, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a weapon. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan E. Leydecker and Franz M. Wright, who are handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, the defendant is currently on federal probation following a 2019 conviction for being a felon in possession of ammunition. On March 2, 2021, United States Probation Officers, assisted by other law enforcement personnel, searched Watkins’ Stanton Street residence and recovered a 9mm pistol in his bedroom. The defendant was also previously convicted in New York State Court of drug and gun charges and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. and is being held pending a detention hearing on March 17, 2021.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the United States Probation Office, under the leadership of Chief Probation Officer Timothy C. Englerth, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

###