William Morrison, Jr., a 26-year-old resident of Buffalo, has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. Morrison entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara and faces up to 15 years in prison.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, on the night of July 19, 2024, Buffalo Police responded to Ashley and Mohr Streets after receiving a report about an armed man. The caller described the suspect as wearing an ankle bracelet and waving a black pistol. The individual was later identified as Morrison.
The caller also told police that the suspect had entered a residence on Ashley Street that was known locally as a “dope house.” When officers arrived at the scene, they saw Morrison running from behind the residence and apprehended him shortly afterward. Police then searched the area where he had fled and found a loaded 9mm handgun.
Morrison has a prior felony conviction from November 2019 for a gun charge in Erie County Court, which prohibits him from legally possessing firearms.
The investigation leading to this plea involved cooperation between the Buffalo Police Department, led by Commissioner Alphonso Wright, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), overseen by Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller.
Sentencing is set for December 5, 2025 before Judge Arcara.
“U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that William Morrison, Jr., 26, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to being a felon in possession of a firearm, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.”
“Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that late in the evening of July 19, 2024, Buffalo Police responded to the area of Ashley and Mohr Streets for a report of a man with a gun. The caller indicated the suspect, later identified as Morrison, was wearing an ankle bracelet and was waiving a black pistol around. The caller then reported that the suspect was inside an Ashley Street residence, which was referred to as a “dope house.” When officers arrived, they observed Morrison running from the rear of the residence. Morrison was quickly apprehended. Officers searched the area of the yard where Morrison had fled and recovered a loaded 9mm handgun. In November 2019, Morrison was convicted of a felony gun charge in Erie County Court and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.”
“The plea is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Alphonso Wright, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller.”
