U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced that Taraja Green, a 28-year-old resident of Rochester, New York, has pleaded guilty to the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. This plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca and carries a potential maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Moynihan provided details on the case, explaining that on March 17, 2024, Rochester Police officers found Green asleep in the driver's seat of a running vehicle on Seward Street. Upon approaching the vehicle, officers observed a 9mm pistol on Green's lap and later determined it was loaded. Green had previously been convicted of a felony in August 2019 by Monroe County Court and is legally barred from possessing firearms.
The case falls under the jurisdiction of the United States Attorney’s Office as part of its Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. PSN aims to reduce violent crime through collaboration among various stakeholders who work together to address community-specific issues with comprehensive solutions. The program emphasizes enforcement against violent offenders while partnering with local prevention and reentry initiatives for sustainable crime reduction.
The investigation leading to Green's plea involved cooperation between the Rochester Police Department, led by Chief David Smith, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), overseen by Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller from the New York Field Division.
Sentencing for Taraja Green is set for July 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., presided over by Judge Vacca.