April 20, 2022 -Springfield- James W. Bennett has been sentenced to 6-7 years in state prison after a Hampden County Superior Court Jury found him guilty of Carrying a firearm without a license, second offense. The sentencing came after a jury trial, which concluded on April 13, 2022

Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni stated, “We will work hard to enforce the law against repeat gun offenders. I thank Assistant District Attorney Anna Lusardi, who is a member my office’s Drug and Gun Unit, for her hard work in securing this conviction.”    

Bennett was arrested on May 9, 2018 after members of the Massachusetts State Police pulled him over on I-91 in Springfield, while operating a vehicle that was smoking from under the hood. While pulled over, he could not produce a registration for the vehicle he was operating, nor a valid driver license.

Being concerned that Bennett was actively trying to conceal something in the car, based on Bennett’s movements and actions, the trooper called for back-up. When it was safe to conduct a search of the car, troopers located a loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun in the center console.  

Bennett was immediately taken into custody and placed under arrest.

His sentencing hearing was held on April 14, 2022.

Assistant District Attorney Anna Lusardi successfully represented the Commonwealth in this case.