Charlie D. Vick, Felon in Possession of Ammunition, Rhode Island 2019

Convicted Felon Sentenced to 36 Months in Federal Prison for Firearm Charge

PROVIDENCE — A convicted felon from Massachusetts has been sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for being in possession of ammunition he purchased from a Woonsocket federally licensed firearms dealer, in a Project Guardian case brought by the United States Attorney's Office.

Charlie D. Vick, 30, of Everett, Mass., pleaded guilty on May 15, 2019, to being a felon in possession of ammunition, admitting to the Court that he and Gabriel A. Rosario, 23, of Chelsea, Mass., traveled from Boston to a Woonsocket firearms dealer with the intent of buying ammunition, aware that Rhode Island state law does not require a background check for ammunition purchases, unlike Massachusetts.

Vick admitted to the Court that once inside the store he asked the store manager for assistance with ammunition. The manager accompanied Vick to an area of the store away from a countertop where a .22 caliber firearm was displayed. While Vick and the manager were away from the counter area, Rosario took the .22 caliber firearm from the countertop, placed it in his waistband, and left the store.

After Rosario left the store, the store manager and Vick returned to the counter area. Vick knowingly illegally purchased three boxes of ammunition. Vick left the store and he and Rosario drove away from the area.

A Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF) and Explosives investigation determined that within a few days the stolen firearm was sold on the streets of Boston.

To obtain assistance from the public in identifying the two men responsible for the theft of the firearm, ATF offered a $1,500 reward leading to the identification of one or both of the men. At least two individuals contacted the Woonsocket Police Department and identified Charlie Vick as one of the two men depicted in surveillance camera photos publicized by law enforcement.

At sentencing today, U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith sentenced Vick to 36 months incarceration to be followed by 3 years supervised release, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of ATF Kelly D. Brady, and Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas Oates.

Defendant: Charlie D. Vick

Criminal Charges: Felon in Possession of Ammunition

City and State: Providence, Rhode Island

Exact Date: May 15, 2019 (plea), January 30, 2020 (sentence)

Sentence or Outcome: 36 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years supervised release

Dollar Amounts: $1,500 reward

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/pr/convicted-massachusetts-felon-sentenced-firearm-charge