Miguel Rivera, also known as “Macho,” 33, of Shelton, was sentenced to an additional 40 months in prison for possessing a shotgun and ammunition while awaiting trial on another federal charge. The sentence will be served consecutively to the 60-month term Rivera is already serving.
According to court records and statements made during proceedings, Waterbury Police responded to a shots-fired complaint on July 5, 2020, near William Street and Laurel Street. Officers found Rivera wearing body armor and attempting to flee by climbing over a fence. He was apprehended, and police recovered a semiautomatic rifle with a fully loaded magazine from the area where he ran. Rivera also had one round of ammunition in his pocket.
While released on bond and awaiting trial on June 21, 2022, Rivera was found in possession of a stolen shotgun, ammunition, and two Kevlar bulletproof vests.
Rivera has prior convictions for felony firearm offenses as well as robbery and burglary. Federal law prohibits individuals convicted of felonies from possessing firearms or ammunition that have traveled in interstate or foreign commerce.
A jury convicted Rivera on October 19, 2023, for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition related to the July 2020 incident. He received a 60-month sentence for that offense on November 22, 2024. On December 1, 2025, he pleaded guilty to similar charges stemming from the June 2022 conduct.
Rivera has been detained since July 13, 2022.
The investigation involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Waterbury Police Department, and Connecticut State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and Patricia Stolfi Collins prosecuted these cases.
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