A Virginia man has been sentenced in Boston federal court for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. Ted Therrien, a 54-year-old resident of Newport News, Virginia, received his sentence from U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton. Therrien was sentenced to time already served, which amounts to 356 days, plus an additional two weeks in prison. Following his prison term, he will be under supervised release for two years.
In November 2024, Therrien pleaded guilty to the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Court documents reveal that the incident occurred on July 30, 2021. Therrien boarded a commercial fishing vessel in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, carrying a Ruger .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol and at least nine rounds of Remington .40 caliber ammunition. An argument ensued with fellow crew members, leading Therrien to fire the gun into the air. The U.S. Coast Guard intervened and removed Therrien from the vessel. His previous felony conviction prohibits him from legally possessing firearms or ammunition.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Steven Firth, Special Agent in Charge of the Coast Guard Investigative Service, Northeast Region. The United States Marshals Service and the Fairhaven Police Department provided significant assistance in the case. The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna Nuzum of the Criminal Division.