A Worcester man who prosecutors said fled police through downtown Worcester while carrying a stolen loaded handgun has been sentenced to six years in federal prison.
Gilbert Morin, 40, was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court to six years in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The federal case stems from Morin’s arrest during the early morning hours of May 30, 2025, after Worcester police responded to Pleasant Street for reports of a man with a gun.
According to Worcester police, officers spotted a man matching the description near Main Street shortly before 2 a.m. Police said the man—later identified as Morin—fled through Worcester Common when he noticed officers approaching.
Police said Morin had a firearm in his hand during the chase and fell several times while running across Franklin Street. According to the Worcester Police Department, Morin threw the gun into the street before officers took him into custody.
Federal prosecutors said Morin was found carrying a stolen Taurus pistol loaded with ammunition. Worcester police also said officers recovered what they described as a large quantity of suspected crack cocaine from Morin during the arrest.
Morin was initially charged in state court with multiple firearm offenses and possession of a Class B substance with intent to distribute. Federal prosecutors later secured an indictment in September 2025 charging him as a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Authorities said Morin was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of a prior conviction punishable by more than one year in prison.
Morin has remained in custody since his arrest, according to federal officials.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Worcester police and the Boston Homeland Security Task Force.
Federal officials said the prosecution was part of “Operation Take Back America,” a Department of Justice initiative targeting violent crime and organized criminal activity.
