Charlestown Man Charged With Firearm Offenses

A Charlestown man was arraigned on multiple firearm charges at BMC Dorchester Division after the car in which he was a passenger was pulled over for speeding and other violations earlier this week, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

Michael Espejo, 24, was charged Monday with possession of a large capacity firearm, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, and possession of large capacity feeding device. Judge Jonathan R. Tynes ordered Espejo held in lieu of $7,500 bail with the requirements that he stay away and have no contact with the victim. Espejo will appear in court on December 5th for a probable cause hearing.

Assistant District Attorney Charles Marshall said that on November 6 at around 1:45 a.m. Boston Police officers conducted a traffic stop of a gray Honda Accord for speeding and an illegal right-on-red turn. When approaching the vehicle, officers observed Espejo in the passenger seat with an open beer in his hand. When speaking with Espejo, officers illuminated the rear passenger compartment and observed a trigger guard and slide of a pistol on the floor behind the seat. Additional units responded to the scene and passengers were removed to check the vehicle. Officers found a Springfield 9mm semi-automatic pistol on the back passenger seat floor. Officers then searched Espejo and found one live round in the front right pocket of his pants. Due to the location of the gun in the vehicle, Espejo was arrested and charged with the firearm offenses.

“Seizing illegal guns is a daily occurrence for police in Boston. Whether they are responding to a call of shots fired or pulling over a vehicle, as in this case, they are constantly dealing with illegal firearms, a large majority trafficked into Boston from states with easy-access gun laws.  Getting to the root of why so many people feel the need to have these weapons is a challenge we must meet together,” Hayden said.

All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.

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