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Convicted Felon Caught with Firearm at Rainbow Bridge
A convicted felon has been charged with possessing a firearm after attempting to enter the United States at the Rainbow Bridge in Buffalo, New York.
Varapong Ruengvivatanakij, 33, formerly of Washington, D.C., was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
According to the complaint, on May 18, 2014, the defendant attempted to enter the United States at the Rainbow Bridge. During a secondary inspection by Customs and Border Protection officers, it was determined Ruengvivatanakij was a convicted felon and in possession of a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun in the trunk of his vehicle.
The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. on May 19, 2014, and was ordered detained.
The investigation was a joint effort by Special Agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero, and officers of Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Randy Howe, Director of Field Operations.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Varapong Ruengvivatanakij now faces a serious charge that could land him in prison for a decade if convicted.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper inspections and security measures at our nation’s borders.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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