A Geneva man faces up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Rochester to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Everardo A. Rodriguez, who is handling the case, stated that on June 23, 2023, the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Willis Bowles’ Geneva residence. During the search, investigators seized a loaded Smith and Wesson rifle. A high-capacity 30-round magazine, containing 22 rounds of ammunition was also seized. In 2006 and 2007, Bowles was convicted of gun felonies in the State of Florida and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff David Cirencione, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito, New York Field Division, and the Geneva Police Department, under the direction of then-Chief Matt Colton.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 10 before Judge Wolford.
