Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

BOSTON — A Chicopee man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Springfield for allegedly robbing and assaulting a confidential informant using a firearm.

Hector Laureano, 38, was indicted on one count of assaulting with a dangerous weapon a person assisting an officer or employee of the U.S. in performance of official duties; one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and one count of robbery of money of the U.S.

According to the indictment, on May 4, Laureano intentionally assaulted a confidential informant performing official duties. Laureano allegedly used of a Cobra Model .380 caliber pistol to rob a confidential informant of $1,400 belonging to the U.S.

The charge of assaulting with a dangerous weapon a person assisting an officer or employee of the U.S. in performance of official duties provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The charge of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence provides for a sentence of at least seven years in prison, five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The charge of robbery of money of the U.S. provides for a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine G. Curley of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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