[B]URLINGTON — A New Hampshire man was arraigned Wednesday in federal court, charged with being in possession of a firearm despite a criminal history during an ill-fated drug deal at the Holiday Inn in Springfield in January.
Ira Flowers, 36, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges that he was in possession of a firearm despite previous felony convictions. Police allege he was in possession of a FEG Model P9RK 9mm caliber pistol on Jan. 6.
Flowers, of Claremont, New Hampshire, met with three other people in a hotel room at the Holiday Inn that day to exchange thousands of dollars for THC-infused products, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Flowers pulled out his pistol and attempted to rob the person selling him the THC products, prosecutors say. After a struggle, Flowers was stabbed in the neck, shot with his own gun and was left bleeding profusely from his wounds in the hotel hallway.
Vermont State Police found the pistol while searching the hotel room.
Flowers appeared in a wheelchair Wednesday afternoon before Judge John Conroy. Conroy noted that Flowers had a lengthy criminal record in Massachusetts and Connecticut, and a history of substance abuse.
Flowers faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the charge.
“Federal prosecutors in Vermont will show no tolerance for gun crime and violence in connection with the illicit drug trade, and prosecution of these crimes will remain the top priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan said in the release. “These principles apply with equal force to those who commit violent crime – such as robberies, burglaries, and gun offenses – in connection with the marijuana and THC trade.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Spencer Willig represented the prosecution, while assistant federal defender Barclay Johnson represented Flowers.
A detention hearing to determine whether Flowers will stay in custody until trial and if bail will be set was scheduled for March 18. Flowers will remain in custody at least until that hearing.
Kraig LaPorte, the spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, did not immediately return a call requesting additional information on Flowers’ criminal history.
