Prior Felon Pleads Guilty To Firearms Possession

CONTACT: Barbara Burns   
PHONE:       (716) 843-5817 
FAX #:          (716) 551-3051  

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Ray Chrostowski, 27, of Cheektowaga, NY, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. The charges carry a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated in August 2021, Chrostowski was convicted of breaking into and larceny from interstate carrier facilities and sentenced to serve 18 months in prison by Judge Sinatra. He was expected to self-surrender to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons on September 28, 2021. On September 14, 2021, Chrostowski was detained by investigators as he left his Bright Street residence. Investigators then executed a search warrant at the residence seizing an assault rifle and a semiautomatic pistol, two sets of body armor, and various rounds of assorted ammunition.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belongia, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia, and the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Gould.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 12, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Sinatra.

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