David X. Sullivan, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, has announced the sentencing of Jose Antonio Molina-Montalvo, a 36-year-old from Waterbury. Molina-Montalvo received a sentence of 58 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for a firearm offense. The sentencing was delivered by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven.
Court documents reveal that on October 15, 2024, Molina-Montalvo sold a Harrington & Richardson 1871 INC. Handi Rifle and 39 rounds of ammunition to an individual for $300. His criminal history includes state felony convictions for assault, possession with intent to sell narcotics, strangulation, harassment, burglary, and larceny. Federal law prohibits individuals with felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition that have been transported in interstate or foreign commerce.
Molina-Montalvo has been detained since his arrest on unrelated state charges on October 21, 2024. He pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon in federal court on March 28, 2025.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan J. Guevremont prosecuted the case through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce gun violence and other violent crime while enhancing community safety.
For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit www.justice.gov/psn.
