Alleged gang member free on $15G bail after gun charges

SALEM – A reported gang member authorities caught with a loaded .22 caliber firearm and ammunition in his South Street apartment last winter remains free on $15,000 cash after pleading innocent.Socheat Sok, 25, of 99 South St., #1, appeared for his arraignment Tuesday morning in Salem Superior Court pleading innocent to possession of a firearm without a license, unlawful possession of ammunition and possession of a firearm having been previously convicted of three or more violent crimes.Judge Timothy Q. Feeley agreed to set the same bail amount established at a bail review hearing in December and continued the case to June 14 for a pretrial conference.In the meantime, Sok, who authorities claim is a member of the Asian Street Walkers gang, remains free on the high cash bail pending his trial.Assistant District Attorney Michael Patten said the charges arise out of his arrest on Nov. 5 when authorities raided his home.At approximately 6 a.m., Detective Robert Ferrari and State Trooper Lt. Al Zani executed a search and arrest warrant for Sok where his mother reportedly opened the door for police.Police said they found Sok in a rear bedroom lying in bed. Authorities seized a loaded .22 caliber firearm along with numerous rounds of ammunition for other firearms.Because Sok previously was convicted of assault and battery in March of 2009 out of Salem District Court; convicted of assault and battery on a police officer out of Lynn District Court in November of 2009 and convicted of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon out of Taunton District Court in March of 2004 he faces a mandatory three years in state prison.Sok is being represented by Attorney Kirk W. Bransfield of Lynn.