Vanessa Roberts Avery, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Boston Field Division, have announced an indictment against Jose Antonio Molina-Montalvo. The 36-year-old Waterbury resident is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

The federal grand jury in New Haven returned the indictment on November 25, 2024. Molina-Montalvo appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria E. Garcia and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

According to the indictment, between October 11 and October 15, 2024, Molina-Montalvo unlawfully possessed a Harrington & Richardson 1871 INC. Handi Rifle. His criminal history reportedly includes state felony convictions for assault, possession with intent to sell narcotics, strangulation, harassment, burglary, and larceny. Federal law prohibits individuals previously convicted of a felony from possessing firearms or ammunition that have moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

If convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, Molina-Montalvo faces up to 15 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Avery emphasized that "an indictment is not evidence of guilt." She stated that "a charge is only an allegation," and highlighted that "the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."

Molina-Montalvo has been detained since his arrest on unrelated state charges on October 21, 2024.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is conducting this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan J. Guevremont is prosecuting the case through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). This program aims to reduce gun violence and other violent crimes by uniting law enforcement agencies and communities to enhance neighborhood safety.

In May 2021, the Justice Department introduced a strategy to strengthen PSN based on fostering community trust and legitimacy; supporting organizations preventing violence; setting strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring outcomes.

For further details about Project Safe Neighborhoods visit www.justice.gov/psn.