Hayden: Arrest, arraignments of two repeat firearm offenders a “prime example” of illegal gun possession menace in Boston
BOSTON, October 15, 2023 – Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden today called the firearm-related arrests and arraignments last week of two men with numerous prior gun convictions a “prime example of a fairly small group of repeat offenders driving the illegal gun possession menace” in Boston.
The men, who were apprehended in unrelated traffic stops, both have served prison sentences for prior firearm convictions, prosecutors said at their arraignments. Both are being held without bail.
Hayden’s comments came after two men, one 30 and the other believed to be in his 20s, were shot to death in Boston on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, respectively. Both cases are under investigation.
“These gun possession arrests are cases where prior convictions and prior incarcerations have apparently done little to dissuade these individuals from repeating the offenses that led them to prison in the first place. These cases also highlight the need for us as a society to recognize the concentration of guns among a core group of individuals—in this case, two repeat offenders—and to find ways to break the cycle, which so often leads to violence and tragedy, as we just witnessed on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning,” said Hayden, who was at the Corona St. scene of Friday’s shooting.
DANIEL LARKINS, 40, of Boston was charged in Dorchester BMC with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, carrying a loaded firearm without a license (2nd offense), carrying a firearm without a license (4th offense), possession of ammunition without an FID card (subsequent offense), and firearm violation with three prior violent or drug crimes.
Larkins has been ordered held without bail after Judge Erika Reis found him dangerous on Friday. Larkins will return to court on November 8.
At about 1:12 a.m. on October 8, Boston police observed a white 2007 BMW fail to stop at a marked stop line before a crosswalk and make a right turn off Wheatland Avenue onto Washington Street at a high rate of speed. Police then observed the vehicle accelerate to a higher rate of speed down Washington Street. The vehicle was traveling so fast that it took several blocks for police to catch up.
Police stopped the vehicle, which was being driven by Larkins. An inquiry revealed that Larkins’s license had been suspended since May and that he had been convicted of previous firearm offenses.
While conducting a search of the vehicle, officers located a Jimenez Arms pistol with five .22-caliber rounds in the magazine under the driver’s seat. Officers also found a large quantity of fireworks packaged for commercial sale in the trunk.
Larkins has served two sentences on his previous firearm convictions, one in the Suffolk County House of Correction and one in state prison.
JAMISON GATSON, 27, of Boston was charged in Dorchester BMC with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, carrying a firearm without a license (third offense), firearm violation with two prior violent or drug crimes, defacing a firearm, possession of a large capacity firearm, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card (subsequent offense), possession of a defaced firearm, possession of a firearm in felony possession, possession of a stun gun, and possession to distribute a class A substance.
Judge Joseph Griffin ordered Gatson held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on October 20.
At about 12:07 a.m. on October 12, Boston police observed a gray Chevrolet Malibu traveling at a high rate of speed on Harvard Street and fail to stop at a stop sign. Officers conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Blue Hill Avenue and Ellington Street and observed two occupants in the vehicle. The driver, later identified as Gatson, was unable to provide a driver’s license.
Officers observed a small plastic bag containing a white substance in the passenger’s hand and a bulge in Gaston’s sweatshirt. Gatson refused to exit the vehicle and attempted to drive off but the vehicle did not start. After a struggle that caused officers to jump into the vehicle to gain control, officers recovered a black and green .45 Caliber Glock 30 with one round in the chamber and 13 rounds in the magazine from Gatson’s sweatshirt pocket.
Officers also located a Taser and a bag containing a glass measuring cup, a box of sandwich bags, and a scale containing what appeared to be cocaine.
The passenger is expected to be charged with possession of a class B substance.
Gatson has previously served a state prison sentence for firearm related offenses in Worcester County.
“The combination of illegal guns and people more than willing to pull the trigger endanger our neighborhoods, threaten our first responders, impact or end lives too early and leave grief and suffering among the victims and survivors. We will continue to arrest and arraign and seek appropriate dangerousness hearings and incarcerations, but the solution has to involve more than police, prosecutors and prisons,” 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.
James Borghesani, Chief of Communications