Littleton Felon Sentenced to 24 Months for Unlawfully Possessing Firearms

            CONCORD – Johnathon Irish, 34, of Littleton, was sentenced on Wednesday to 24 months in federal prison for unlawfully possessing firearms, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today. 

            Irish was found guilty of one count of being a felon in possession of firearms after a four-day trial in February of 2020.  Evidence presented at trial showed that between December of 2018 and November of 2019, Irish possessed at least two firearms, a Sig Sauer 1911, .45 caliber pistol and a Catamount Fury, 12-gauge shotgun.     

            Irish previously was convicted in 2014 of aiding and abetting a false statement in connection with the acquisition of a firearm and making a false statement to a federal agent.  Due to these felony convictions, he is legally prohibited from possessing firearms.

            “In order to protect our community from violent crime, it is vital to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley.  “Despite a prior gun-related felony conviction, this defendant chose to violate federal law by possessing multiple firearms.  We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that convicted criminals cannot endanger our citizens by possessing firearms.”

            “Despite being barred from possessing firearms, Johnathon Irish demonstrated time and again he was unwilling to give up guns or abide by a law meant to keep them out of the hands of felons. Today’s sentence stops his revolving door of risky behavior, and our streets are safer for it,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The FBI thanks our law enforcement partners for their assistance in helping us protect the communities we all serve.”

            This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the New Hampshire State Police.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anna Krasinski and Kasey Weiland.

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