Williamstown firearms case resolves after claims of retaliation by Shen Yun
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PITTSFIELD — A Williamstown man who alleged that a firearms investigation against him was triggered by retaliation from the Falun Gong–affiliated Shen Yun organization has resolved the case under a court agreement that avoids a conviction.
Chao Yu admitted last week to sufficient facts on counts of possessing a firearm and ammunition without a firearms identification card. The charges were continued without a finding of guilt, a disposition that will result in dismissal if he complies with court-ordered conditions for the next six months.
Prosecutors dropped charges of possessing a large-capacity feeding device.
Judge Jeremy Bucci accepted the agreement just days after he outlined his intent to reject the prosecution’s request for guilty pleas in favor of the defense’s recommendation.
The case stemmed from a 2023 investigation that Yu has said was triggered by retaliation after he publicly criticized the Falun Gong–affiliated Shen Yun organization, a global dance company headquartered in New York that has come under fire after former dancers reported mistreatment within the organization.
Yu, himself a longtime practitioner of Falun Gong, a Chinese spiritual movement, has said he began speaking out after becoming disillusioned with the group for the practices he described as abusive, according to court documents filed by his lawyer, Megan Siddall.
Yu, who said he immigrated to the United States after spending years imprisoned in China for his religious beliefs, has claimed he was targeted after raising those concerns publicly. He has maintained that reports made to authorities about his alleged behavior were false or exaggerated and were intended to silence him.
According to court filings, law enforcement began investigating Yu after receiving information that he possessed firearms and ammunition without proper licensing. Police later seized multiple firearms and rounds of ammunition from his residence. Prosecutors alleged that Yu had not obtained the necessary Massachusetts licenses after moving from another state.
Yu’s attorneys argued that he legally purchased the firearms while living in Minnesota and did not fully understand the state’s licensing requirements. They also contended that the investigation was fueled by retaliation connected to his criticism of Shen Yun.
Siddall said in court documents that Yu had cooperated with authorities and complied with court orders, including surrendering his passport and weapons.
Under the terms of the Dec. 22 agreement, Yu must remain law-abiding for six months and forfeit two firearms. If he does so, the charges will be dismissed and he will not have a conviction on his record.
Bucci also ordered Yu to possess no firearms, large-capacity feeding devices or ammunition during the probationary period.
Content retrieved from: https://www.berkshireeagle.com/crime/pittsfield-firearms-case-shen-yun-deal/article_a0a9ffce-3b02-4129-b0a3-f0ffa4edd58d.html.
