Manchester Man Charged with Illegal Possession of Firearms, Ammunition, and Silencers
| U.S. Attorney’s Office April 09, 2012 |
David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven has returned a three-count indictment charging Robert V. Gentile, 75, of Manchester, with the illegal possession of multiple firearms, ammunition, and silencers for firearms. The indictment was returned on April 5, 2012.
As previously disclosed in court, on February 10, 2012, federal agents executed a search warrant at Gentile’s Manchester residence and seized, among other items, two .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolvers, a .22 caliber North American Arms revolver, and numerous rounds of .22 caliber, .32 caliber, .44 caliber, and .45 caliber ammunition, as well as numerous boxes of 12-gauge shotgun shells. Agents also observed and seized four silencers for handguns from a shed in the backyard of the residence.
The indictment alleges that Gentile is a previously convicted felon.
Under federal law, it is illegal for a person with a previous felony conviction to possess any firearm or ammunition that has traveled in interstate or foreign commerce. Further, it is illegal under federal law for any person to possess a silencer for a firearm unless that silencer has been properly registered with the National Firearms Registry in Washington, D.C.
Gentile is charged with one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of firearms that had traveled in interstate commerce, one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of ammunition that had traveled in interstate commerce, and one count of unlawfully possessing silencers for firearms. Each of the charges carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Gentile has been detained since his arrest on February 10, 2012.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; the Connecticut State Police; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John H. Durham.