Springfield Man was Sentenced to Over Nine Years in Prison for Firearms Charges

BOSTON - A Springfield man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Springfield for firearms offenses.

Benjamin Hunter-Blake, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 114 months in prison followed by 36 months of supervised release. In April 2024, Hunter-Blake pleaded guilty to one count each of felon in possession of firearm and ammunition, unlawful possession of machinegun, and unlawful possession of unregistered firearm (a silencer).

On Jan. 27, 2023, during a search of Hunter-Blake's Springfield residence five pistols, including a .40 caliber pistol with an attached "Glock switch" machinegun conversion device and an assault rifle style pistol with silencer and a high capacity drum magazine containing 22 rounds of ammunition; four other Glock switches; and a large collection of ammunition, large capacity magazines, and other firearms-related items were seized. Hunter-Blake's mobile phone, which contained evidence that Hunter-Blake had been obtaining and distributing other firearms, including Glock switches, to other individuals, including at least one person with a felony conviction, after two state firearms convictions and while on pretrial home conferment for a third state firearms case was also found.

Hunter-Blake was convicted twice in state court on firearms felonies and is currently under indictment and house arrest for a third state firearms case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Boston Feld Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance provided by the Springfield Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.