Lockport man admits to gun possession charge, driving under the influence
Apr. 6—A 27-year-old Lockport man could face up to seven years in prison when he's sentenced in June for his guilty plea to weapons and impaired driving charges.
Thomas M. Hyde, 27, entered his plea to charges of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and driving while ability impaired during a hearing Monday morning in State Supreme Court. He was originally charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, driving while intoxicated and several other vehicle and traffic charges after a traffic stop by Niagara County Sheriff's deputies in Cambria.
While Hyde faces a maximum sentence of seven years behind bars, State Supreme Court Justice Richard C. Kloch Sr. said he would consider a probation sentence after a pre-sentence investigation by probation officers.
At 11:28 p.m. Aug 5, the sheriff's office fielded a report of a motorcycle driving erratically in the area of Lockport and Ward roads. Several deputies responded to the area and one initiated a traffic stop on Hyde.
During the stop, the deputy found Hyde in possession of a loaded 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun, which was reported stolen out of Knoxville, Tennessee. Deputies also determined that he was intoxicated at that time.
