'Violent Criminality': Gun Bust Gets Convicted Felon Prison Time: DA

OAKDALE, NY — A Long Island man was sentenced to 16 years in prison for possession of a defaced and loaded firearm, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.

Steven Musgrove, 29, of Selden, was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of second-degree criminal Possession of a weapon for possessing a loaded and defaced firearm, the DA said.

"We will not tolerate felons illegally carrying firearms in our community," Tierney said. "This repeat offender’s history of violent criminality mandates his removal from our streets. We commend the alert bartender and responding officers whose quick actions led to this conviction."

According to evidence at trial established, on March 22, 2024, Musgrove entered Shakers Pub in Oakdale just before it closed for the night and started talking to the bartender. When a Suffolk County Police Department sergeant entered the bar to conduct a routine check of the bar’s liquor license, Musgrove went to the other end of the bar and placed a loaded handgun in the trash before exiting the building, the DA said.

After Musgrove left, the bartender looked into the garbage can, saw the firearm and alerted the sergeant, the DA said.

Law enforcement recovered a loaded and defaced black handgun with an extended magazine from inside the trash can, the DA said.

Video surveillance showed Musgrove placing the handgun in the trash can and DNA testing revealed the presence of his DNA on the firearm, the magazine and an ammunition cartridge, the DA said.

On March 26, Musgrove was found guilty of one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a Class C violent felony, one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a Class D felony, and one count of criminal possession of a firearm, a Class E felony, after a jury trial heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz, the DA said.

Before this, Musgrove was convicted on second-degree attempted robbery, a Class D violent felony, in 2014 and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a Class C violent felony, in 2017, the DA said.

On April 29, Musgrove was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison, the DA said.

He was represented by Pierre Bazile, who was not immediately available for comment.