Nicholas DeFelice, a 33-year-old resident of Montville, has been sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea delivered the sentence in Hartford. Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced the news.
DeFelice operated a business named “DeFelice Defense,” through which he manufactured and sold firearms without the necessary license. The unauthorized activities began around 2013 and involved the production and distribution of over 200 firearms. These firearms were sold directly to customers, licensed firearms dealers, and placed on consignment with various commercial firearm dealers across Connecticut.
A significant component of the investigation involved ATF agents conducting an undercover operation, during which they purchased a firearm manufactured by DeFelice. Further investigations included a search of his residence on February 17, 2022, revealing two short barrel rifles, 67 other firearms, a silencer without a serial number, over 28 high-capacity magazines, and various other firearm components.
Following his arrest on July 12, 2023, DeFelice eventually pleaded guilty to possession of unregistered National Firearms Act firearms on October 7, 2024. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.
