Waterbury Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking Firearms

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTHONY PRIMAVERA, 22, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 18 months of imprisonment and two years of supervised release for trafficking firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2024, the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force investigated a drug trafficking organization led by Primavera's associate. The investigation included controlled purchases and the seizure of various narcotics, including multi-colored pills pressed to look like ecstasy and containing methamphetamine and metonitazene, a synthetic opioid with a potency similar to or greater than fentanyl. During the investigation, law enforcement seized more than six kilograms of methamphetamine pills, approximately 600 grams of metonitazene pills, and approximately 300 grams of pills containing a synthetic amphetamine. In October 2024, Primavera's associate also sold a stolen pistol and a Polymer 80 handgun ("ghost gun") to a convicted felon. The investigation revealed that Primavera had supplied the two firearms involved in the transaction.

Primavera was arrested on May 20, 2025. On March 10, 2026, he pleaded guilty to engaging in a firearms trafficking conspiracy.

Primavera, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on October 14.

This matter is being investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Gang Task Force, the New Haven Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie T. Levick and Brendan J. Keefe.