BOSTON - A Providence, R.I. man pleaded guilty today to illegal possession of ammunition.
Paul Marino, 57, formerly of New Bedford, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition. Marino was arrested and charged in September 2020. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for May 20, 2021.
On various dates in September 2019, Marino attempted to purchase a handgun and silencer from a federal agent acting in an undercover capacity. During a search of Marino’s home in New Bedford on Sept. 26, 2019, agents seized three 9mm handgun magazines and 277 rounds of 9mm ammunition from a closet in Marino’s bedroom. The ammunition was in a FedEx box addressed to “Vincent Amoroso" in Rhode Island and bearing a return address in Tennessee. Agents also seized counterfeit Virginia identification documents in the names of Vincent Amoroso and Christian Bennington, each of which bore Marino’s photograph, and an American Express card in the name of Christian Bennington.
Due to a prior federal conviction for wire fraud, Marino is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The charge of possessing ammunition after being convicted of a felony provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of a $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. The New Bedford Police Department provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Chief of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
