John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MATTHEW PETROVITCH, 38, of Stratford, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on Sept. 26, 2017, Stratford Police responded to PETROVITCH’s residence after a female victim reported that PETROVITCH had physically assaulted her and threatened her with a firearm while she was holding a young child. After PETROVITCH was taken into custody, officers searched the residence and seized an AK-74 semiautomatic rifle, a short-barreled shotgun, and more than 350 rounds of assorted ammunition.
The short-barreled shotgun was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required.
In March 2000, PETROVITCH was convicted in state court of conspiracy to commit assault in the first degree, and robbery in the third degree. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
When he is sentenced, PETROVITCH faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. PETROVITCH is detained pending sentencing.
On April 24, 2018, PETROVITCH pleaded guilty in Bridgeport Superior Court to state charges related to this incident.
This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Stratford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alina P. Reynolds, in coordination with the State’s Attorney for the Fairfield Judicial District.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
