Two Worcester Convicted Felons Detained After Arrests for Illegal Firearms

Tuesday, October 06, 2015

Patrick Sargent, GoLocalWorcester Reporter

On Tuesday, Antwone Bennett, 21, and Darilton Matias, 21, both of Worcester, were detained following initial appearances in United States District Court in Worcester. Both men were charged last week with illegal firearms possession.

Bennet and Matias, both convicted felons, were charged in separate indictments following an operation to combat gang violence in Worcester. The operation resulted in a total of eight firearms seized. Although Bennet and Matias are not charged for all of the possessions, Matias allegedly possessed a K.B.I. brand .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun and Bennett possessed four rounds of Winchester 357 MAG ammunition and two rounds of Hornady 357 MAG ammunition.

On October 1, 2015, Bennett was arrested on a Worcester street at which time officers recovered a loaded firearm that he was carrying. Matias was arrested on state charges in August 2015.

The charges facing the two men provide a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. If the defendants are determined to be armed career criminals, the statutes provides a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and up to a lifetime, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.

The details contained in the indictments are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The United States Attorney's office, the FBI, the DEA, the Massachusetts State Police, the Worcester Police Department and the Worcester County District Attorney's office made the announcement on Tuesday.