Commonwealth v. John Doe – Palmer District Court

CHARGE OF IMPROPER STORAGE OF A FIREARM AGAINST FARMER DISMISSED PRIOR TO ARRAIGNMENT.

Defendant is a 25-year-old man with no criminal record. He resides in New Hampshire where he operates a 52-acre farm and butcher shop. Defendant went hunting with friends in Massachusetts. Defendant parked his car on a trail in the woods. Someone called 911 to report that the car doors of the Defendant’s vehicle were open. An officer responded and noticed the car doors opened. Inside the vehicle, in plain view, were numerous shotguns and ammunition. The officer seized the firearms and ammunition, closed the car doors, and left a note for the Defendant to contact police. Defendant contacted the police and apologized for his mistake in leaving the car doors open. Defendant was charged with Improper Storage of a Firearm pursuant to G.L. c. 140, §131L. Attorney Patrick J. Noonan was able to persuade the prosecutor to dismiss the case prior to arraignment. As a result, the client has no criminal charge on his record arising out of this incident.