New Bedford Repeat Gun Offender Sentenced

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — A repeat gun offender from New Bedford has been sentenced to state prison on more firearm charges.

Rashawn Gray pled guilty in Fall River Superior Court to indictments charging him with carrying an illegal firearm-subsequent offense and unlawful possession of ammunition. He was sentenced to serve three to five years in state prison.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said that this is the second time Gray has been caught with a loaded firearm within the past few years.

In 2019, Gray had previously been convicted of carrying an illegal firearm and served an 18-month county jail sentence.

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New Bedford Police were dispatched to Rivet and County streets on August 9, 2022 for a reported altercation with a firearm. A witness saw a suspect described as a black male with braided hair, who was wearing shorts and a tank top, get out of a dark SUV and kick the door of another vehicle. At that same time, the witness also stated that the suspect showed a firearm.

Officers observed the suspect vehicle driving on County Street and later identified Gray as the front passenger of the vehicle. A motor vehicle stop was conducted where police were able to confirm that the description matched the previous information given by the witness.

As Gray was removed from the front passenger seat, police found a .22 caliber round on his seat. Further investigations revealed a Taurus Spectrum .380 handgun tucked inside the framework of the center console. The handgun was found to be loaded with five .380 rounds and one round in the chamber.