Man changes plea on drug, gun beef

SALEM – A Lynn man who told police he had a loaded sawed-off shotgun in his bedroom for “protection” was sent to prison for not less than 2 and one-half years and not more than 3 years.Joseph Vorn, 19, of 9 Clifton Ave., changed his plea to guilty in Salem Superior Court Friday, confessing to possession of a sawed-off shotgun, possession of ammunition and possession of cocaine, marijuana and lorazepam with the intent to distributeAssistant District Attorney John B. Brennan said the commonwealth would have established at trial that on Jan. 25, Vorn was caught with a loaded sawed-off shotgun in his bedroom along with 14 twists of cocaine, marijuana, 98 lorazepam pills and three shot gun shells.Lynn Police Sgt. Michael Vail and Detective Oren Wright had gone to the home to check out another situation involving a probationer, but when they were inside the home they smelled marijuana and asked to search the home where they found the gun and drugs in a bedroom occupied by Vorn.Vorn told police he had the weapon for “protection,” Brennan said.In asking the judge to adopt the recommended sentence, defense lawyer John P. Morris pointed out to the judge that his client is a young man, is a high school graduate and has been working sales selling mobile phones since the incident.?This was a mistake. He?s taken responsibility today,” Morris told Lowy.In accepting the plea, Judge David A. Lowy acknowledged Vorn?s “good structure and work ethic,” as he imposed the punishment.When Vorn gets out of state prison, he will be on probation for another two years with the conditions he be employed or have five pending job application on file, submit to random screens and receive drug treatment and counseling as deemed necessary.