Leticia Astacio Found Not Guilty in Weapons Charge

Former judge Leticia Astacio was found not guilty of attempted criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon on Friday afternoon.

Astacio was sentenced to probation after being found guilty of DWI in 2016. She was then charged with attempted criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon when she tried to purchase a shotgun at two local sporting goods stores, which violated her probation. The case was moved to Syracuse courts due to extensive media coverage in Rochester, jurors provided the verdict after two days of deliberation.

Astacio’s attorney’s overall argument was simple, the gun could not be dangerous if it wasn’t loaded. Furthermore, the terms of Astacio’s probation didn’t expressly forbid her from purchasing a shotgun and there was no proof that she was aware that purchasing the shotgun would violate the terms of her probation.

The State Judicial Conduct commission removed Astacio from the bench as a Rochester City Court Judge as a result of her DWI charge last October, however this verdict allows her to keep her license to practice law.

Astacio also has plans to run for Rochester City Council in the Northwest District according to a petition she filed on Monday at the Monroe County Board of Elections. She hopes to be joined by her sister, Felicia Astacio, who also filed a petition to run for Rochester City Council in the East District.

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