A Plaistow, N.H., man, previously convicted of a felony, pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court for unlawfully possessing two firearms and faces sentencing in June.
U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan said Jonathan Balamotis, 34, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joseph N. Laplante.
“Despite being a convicted felon for serious offenses, the defendant chose to disregard the law and is now being held accountable for his actions,” said Creegan in a release.
Balamotis was previously sentenced to two to four years in New Hampshire State Prison for arson and second-degree assault. After he was sentenced, the U.S. attorney’s office said, he had nine probation violations. Balamotis was sentenced to another felony in 2015 for possession of a Class A drug and convicted again in 2017 of the same charge in Massachusetts.
ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Thomas Greco said in a statement, “Balamotis has previously been convicted of felony assault and arson, demonstrating complete disregard for the safety of others. A firearm in his hands is an immediate and inherent risk to the public, making him the exact type of defendant ATF prioritizes for arrest and federal prosecution.”
On Oct. 21, 2024, Plaistow Police executed two residential search warrants related to a separate investigation. While that investigation was ongoing, Plaistow Police Department and ATF agents learned Balamotis attempted to purchase a gun last June.