Brookline Man Pleads Guilty To Possessing Machine Guns

BROOKLINE, MA — A Brookline man pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to illegally possessing two machine guns, according to U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy.

Stewart Silvestri, 24, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of machine guns.

U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Oct. 12, 2023. Silvestri was charged by criminal complaint on Nov. 16, 2022.

Prosecutors say that on Oct. 15, 2022, law enforcement responded to multiple calls for an erratic driver on Route 95 in Rowley, MA who had pulled into a weigh station.

Upon arriving at the weigh station, law enforcement approached the driver, later identified as Silvestri, who stated he had just come from an armory in New Hampshire.

While asking for his license and registration, law enforcement observed Silvestri sitting on what appeared to be firearms A subsequent search of the vehicle recovered 14 privately made firearms, or "ghost guns," hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and numerous firearm parts. Two of the firearms were fully automatic pistols, classified as machine guns.

Silvestri could face up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence.