PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS
CONCORD MAN SENTENCED ON FEDERAL WEAPONS CONVICTION

Re: United States v. Kris ESTEY

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE -- Kris ESTEY, 25, of Concord, New Hampshire was sentenced today on his 2006 conviction for being a felon in possession of firearms. ESTEY, a previously convicted felon, was found to be in possession of seven stolen shotguns and rifles when his vehicle was pulled over on Route 93 South in Manchester on February 17, 2006. Convicted felons are prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law.

On December 8, 2006, ESTEY entered a guilty plea to the charge before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Steven McAuliffe.

At today’s sentencing, Judge McAuliffe imposed a sentence of 37 months imprisonment followed by a 3-year period of supervised release during which ESTEY’s behavior will be monitored by the U.S. Department of Probation.

U.S. Attorney Colantuono stated: “This case against a convicted felon for illegally possessing firearms is precisely the type of prosecution for which the federal firearms laws and Project Safe Neighborhoods are intended. The cooperative efforts of the State Police and the Manchester Police Department in this and other cases are making New Hampshire a safer place to live. This office is committed to the vigorous enforcement of federal firearms laws, and will continue to aggressively implement Project Safe Neighborhoods in the District of New Hampshire.”

The conviction, part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN) initiative, resulted from an investigation conducted by the FBI, the New Hampshire State Police and the Manchester Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by First Assistant United States Attorney Joseph N. Laplante.