DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
District of Massachusetts

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Carmen M. Ortiz
, United States Attorney
Contact: Christina DiIorio-Sterling

Career Criminal Sentenced to 15 Years for Illegal Gun Sales

BOSTON – An armed career criminal was sentenced today in connection with the illegal sale of three guns and ammunition. 

James Dawn, 48, of Brockton, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and three years of supervised release.  In Sept. 2014, Dawn pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to being an armed career criminal, possessing a firearm and ammunition, and dealing in firearms without a license.

In March 2014, Dawn was arrested after he sold three guns – two pistols and one shotgun, along with ammunition for each weapon, to a cooperating witness on three separate occasions.  Dawn also offered other types of weapons for sale and discussed future “business.”  At the time, Dawn was a lifelong violent criminal.  He had numerous felony convictions, including two jail sentences for cocaine trafficking convictions, and numerous other convictions for violent crimes.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Woodlock noted the seriousness of the offense and the need to protect the public from those, like Dawn, who sell guns illegally on the street.  Judge Woodlock also described Dawn’s extensive criminal record as a factor in his sentence.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenn A. MacKinlay of Ortiz’s Strike Force Unit.

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Boston Field Division