Man who loaned gun to bomber gets time served

BOSTON — A man who loaned a gun used by the Boston Marathon bombers to kill a police officer was sentenced Tuesday to the 17 months he has already served and apologized, saying his actions were “dumb.”

“I was young, dumb, and thought I could outsmart everyone,” 22-year-old Stephen Silva told a judge in U.S. District Court. He pleaded guilty to gun and heroin distribution charges last year.

Silva testified during the trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev that he let Tsarnaev borrow a Ruger 9mm handgun two months before the bombings. The two had known each other since eighth grade and attended school together in Cambridge.

He said Tsarnaev told him he wanted the gun to rob University of Rhode Island students, adding that Tsarnaev “kept coming up with excuses” for not returning it.

He said he didn’t know about the bombers’ plan and had no idea the gun would be used to kill an officer.

Prosecutors said the gun was used by Tsarnaev and his brother, Tamerlan, to kill Massachusetts Institute of Technology Officer Sean Collier days after the April 2013 bombings that killed three people and injured more than 260.

Prosecutors sought leniency, asking for a two-year sentence and saying Silva’s cooperation and testimony was critical in convicting Tsarnaev. He was sentenced to death in June; brother Tamerlan was killed in a gunfight with police hours after Collier’s death.

“The marathon bombing trial team has advised that Silva was an important and credible witness at trial. In particular, his testimony cut against the defense argument that Dzhokhar’s older brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was the driving force behind the entire operation and that Dzhokhar was essentially under his sway,” prosecutors wrote.

Silva’s brother broke out in applause when the sentence was announced and was escorted from the courtroom.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 10

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

A sign welcomes visitors to Hoonah on Aug. 7, 2021 just outside the Icy Strait cruise ship port. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
State commission approves new Xunaa Borough government in northern Southeast Alaska

Area would include Hoonah and much of Glacier Bay National Park, exclude three nearby small towns.

Juneau Assembly Member Ella Adkison (center) helps state Sen. Jesse Kiehl load donated groceries into a van on Saturday during a food drive at Super Bear IGA Supermarket hosted by the Juneau Central Labor Council. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Nonprofits say need is high as collections for annual Thanksgiving events approach

Food bank, other agencies say number of people seeking help is rising due to cost, other factors.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Saturday, Nov. 10, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy poses with then-President Donald Trump during a refueling stop by Air Force One at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in February of 2019. (Official White House photo)
Report: Dunleavy discussing Interior secretary post with Trump transition officials

Alaska governor has said he’s open to such a job; Trump video praises “very special relationship.”

Eaglecrest Ski Area Board President Mike Satre (right) points Megan Behnke toward a checkout person during the annual Juneau Ski Sale at Centennial Hall on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Anticipation and anxieties accumulating with Eaglecrest’s scheduled opening less than a month away

Big turnout at annual ski sale despite loss of a main lift at resort; more critical crowd at public forum.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Friday, Nov. 8, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Most Read