Christopher Hasson Facing Federal Indictment for Illegal Possession of Silencers, Possession of Firearms by a Drug Addict and Unlawful User, and Possession of a Controlled Subs

Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury today indicted Christopher Paul Hasson, age 49, of Silver Spring, Maryland, on federal charges for unlawful possession of silencers, for possession of firearms by a drug addict and unlawful user, and for possession of a controlled substance.  Hasson was arrested on related charges on February 15, 2019, and has been detained since his arrest.

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Art Walker of the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service; and Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division.

U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “We continue to gather evidence, as well as review evidence already obtained as part of this ongoing investigation.”

According to the indictment and other court documents, Hasson, a Lieutenant in the United States Coast Guard, is charged with illegal possession of two silencers.  Federal law requires silencers to bear serial numbers and to be registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.  The silencers in Hasson’s possession met neither criteria.  The indictment further alleges that Hasson is an unlawful user and addict of a controlled substance, and therefore prohibited from possessing the seventeen firearms in his possession.  A search warrant executed at Hasson’s residence on February 15, 2019, recovered the following firearms, which are referenced in the indictment: seven rifles; two shotguns; four pistols; two revolvers; an assembled firearm silencer; and a disassembled firearm silencer.  Finally, the indictment alleges that Hasson possessed tramadol, a controlled substance that is classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration as an opioid analgesic.

If convicted, Hasson faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each of the three charges related to firearms and the firearm silencers, and a maximum of one year in prison for possession of tramadol.  An arraignment in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt has not yet been scheduled.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, and the ATF for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked his office’s national security prosecutors, who are handling the case.