WOBURN, Mass. (AP) — A former probation officer in Massachusetts who was convicted of gun trafficking has been sentenced to a maximum of 3 ½ years in prison.
The MetroWest Daily News reports the judge says he went above state sentencing guidelines for 65-year-old Paul Collins because he wanted to set a “deterrent.”
Judge Michael Ricciuti says the deterrent isn’t for Collins, but for others who may want to commit a similar crime.
Prosecutors say Collins gave a gun to a woman who was frequently on probation, and the gun was later given to another person in exchange for drugs.
Collins’ attorney had argued he was trying to help the woman, and he didn’t do anything improper.
Collins was acquitted of two lesser charges.
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