Jonathan Reyes, Felon in Possession, Rhode Island 2021

Jonathan Reyes, 35, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for possessing a loaded semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.

Reyes was stopped by Pawtucket Police on October 14, 2020, for driving a car with out-of-state license plates that were registered to a different vehicle. He claimed to police that he had just purchased the vehicle and provided a Bill of Sale that did not contain a VIN, date of sale/purchase, or signatures of the buyer/seller.

Officers discovered a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number inside a black satchel/fanny pack after Reyes and a front seat passenger were asked to exit the vehicle. As Reyes was being placed under arrest, he briefly attempted to flee police but was quickly apprehended.

Reyes pleaded guilty on June 1, 2021, to being a felon in possession of a firearm. He has a prior conviction in 2007 and in 2009 on drug trafficking charges in Rhode Island state court.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys William J. Ferland and Ly T. Chin. The matter was investigated by the Pawtucket Police with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Reyes will serve 60 months of incarceration in federal prison followed by three years of federal supervised release, as per the sentence handed down by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith.

The incident highlights the dangers of firearms falling into the wrong hands, particularly for those with prior convictions. The sentence serves as a reminder of the consequences of such actions.

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