Lynn man sentenced on gun charge

SALEM – A Lynn house cleaner who admitted selling a 9mm sawed-off shotgun to a cooperating witness last year will spend 18 months in jail and be on probation for another three years with the condition he have no gang associations or activities and can not display gang colors.Rashad Shepard, 22, last known address of 9 McKinley Terrace, Lynn, made his plea Tuesday afternoon in Salem Superior Court, confessing to a charge of possession of a sawed-off shotgun before Judge David A. Lowy.Shepard was handed a split term of two and a half years in the House of Corrections, with all but 18 months suspended and placed on three years of probation with conditions he not contact the informant, have no gang affiliations or activities and can not display gang colors. He also must be employed or have five pending job applications on file, remain alcohol free and have both alcohol and drug random screenings.It is not known if Shepard is or was a gang member, but Lowy ordered the no gang affiliation as a condition anyway.Assistant District Attorney Jean M. Curran said the charge stems from an incident in Lynn when an undercover police officer was working in the capacity of an informant with police.Arrangements were made with Shepard to purchase a sawed-off shotgun.The informant picked up Shepard on July 22, 2010 at the corner of Chatham and Collins streets in a vehicle that was set up with a surveillance camera and audio equipment.Shepard was seen by authorities entering the vehicle with a bag and the deal was consummated in which Shepard turned over the 9mm sawed-off shotgun in exchange for $250.Shepard was not arrested at the time, but was picked up later on a warrant and charged, said Curran.Curran asked for a four- to five-year state prison term, pointing out that Shepard obviously had access to firearms and to a sawed-off shotgun which can be concealed and that it was another “case in which a weapon was easily put on the streets in Lynn,” which Shepard was willing to sell, she emphasized.She also pointed out to Lowy that at the time of the incident Shepard was out on bail after being charged with an unarmed robbery involving a Jan. 13, 2010 incident in Lynn in which he ultimately was found innocent last May following a two-day jury trial in Salem Superior Court.Defense lawyer John V. Apruzzese told Lowy that his client understands the serious nature of the charge and that since the case began he has seen a change in that Shepard is “more respectful.”He told Lowy that his client has been involved in the SACO program and Straight Ahead Ministries along with other programs at the jail to better himself for the future.Curran interceded and praised Shepard?s accomplishments at the jail, but then told Lowy that while the case was pending and Shepard was held at the jail, he asked and got access to the video taken in the vehicle at the time of his crime and that her concerns were that Shepard wasn?t using it to prepare for his trial, but rather was passing the video around to others so they learn how he was ultimately caught.Lowy explained that the commonwealth?s recommendation was “not unreasonable,” but felt because Shepard had no prior felony convictions, his sentence was more appropriate.?Sounds like you?re trying to help yourself,” Lowy told Shepard, while adding, “you have to take responsibility for yourself,” as he handed down the punishment.Shepard was indicted by an Essex County grand jury last November. He has already served nearly a year in jail (363 days) awaiting trial on the case.