Vanessa Roberts Avery, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, along with Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England, announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has indicted Nicholas Kingsley on multiple firearm possession offenses. Kingsley, aged 40 and from Agawam, Massachusetts, faces a four-count indictment.

The indictment was issued on December 4, 2024. Kingsley appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges. He has been held since his arrest on state charges dating back to April 16, 2024.

Court documents reveal that Kingsley was arrested by Enfield Police on August 16, 2024, following a traffic stop where he was found with three privately made firearms, known as "ghost guns," and 45 rounds of ammunition. On April 18, while detained in state custody, HSI agents searched his vehicle in Agawam and confiscated 14 fully assembled firearms, Glock machine gun conversion devices, and over 2,000 rounds of ammunition.

Kingsley's criminal record includes felony convictions for drug-related offenses, firearm violations, assault, and larceny. Federal law prohibits individuals previously convicted of felonies from possessing firearms or ammunition that have moved through interstate or foreign commerce.

The charges against Kingsley include unlawful possession of firearms by a felon and unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon—each carrying a maximum prison term of 15 years—and unlawful possession of a machine gun and violation of the National Firearms Act—each carrying up to 10 years' imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney Avery emphasized that an indictment is not proof of guilt; all charges are allegations until proven beyond reasonable doubt in court.

The investigation involves Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Enfield Police Department, and the Agawam Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Lembo is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which unites various levels of law enforcement with communities to reduce gun violence and other crimes. In May 2021, the Justice Department enhanced its violent crime reduction strategy under PSN's core principles: fostering community trust and legitimacy; supporting organizations that prevent violence; setting strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring outcomes. More information about Project Safe Neighborhoods can be found at www.justice.gov/psn.