Results
ATF - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
03/04/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/05/2026 09:51
Felon Sentenced to Additional Prison Time for Possessing Shotgun and Ammunition While Awaiting Trial in Another Federal Case (DOJ)
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MIGUEL RIVERA, also known as "Macho," 33, of Shelton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 40 months of imprisonment, consecutive to a 60-month prison term that Rivera is currently serving, for unlawfully possessing a shotgun and ammunition as a felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in the early morning hours of July 5, 2020, Waterbury Police officers responded to a shots-fired complaint in the area of William Street and Laurel Street in Waterbury. When officers arrived on William Street, Rivera, who was wearing a body armor vest, attempted to flee by climbing over a fence. Rivera was apprehended, and a search of the area from which he had run revealed a Romarm/Cugir, AK Type Model, 7.62 x 39mm caliber, semiautomatic rifle containing a fully loaded 30-round magazine. Rivera also possessed one round of ammunition in his pocket.
On June 21, 2022, while he was released on bond and awaiting trial, Rivera unlawfully possessed a stolen 12-gauge shotgun, ammunition, and two Kevlar bullet proof vests.
Rivera's criminal history includes convictions for felony firearm, robbery, and burglary offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
On October 19, 2023, a jury found Rivera guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon related to his criminal conduct in July 2020. On November 22, 2024, he was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 60 months of imprisonment for that offense.
On December 1, 2025, Rivera pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon related to his criminal conduct in June 2022.
Rivera has been detained since July 13, 2022.
This investigation has been conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Waterbury Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police.
These cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and Patricia Stolfi Collins.
ATF - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives published this content on March 04, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 05, 2026 at 15:51 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]