A convicted felon has admitted to illegally possessing a firearm in Rhode Island.
Miguel E. Pavao, 52, of Warwick, was convicted and sentenced on multiple charges, including firearm, drug trafficking, domestic violence, and assault charges.
Pavao pleaded guilty in federal court on April 23, 2024, to a charge of felon in possession of a firearm.
On February 6, 2022, a Warwick police officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle Pavao was operating.
Pavao was ordered to exit the vehicle after admitting to the officer that he was in possession of marijuana, some of which was observed on the floor of the vehicle.
A fully loaded .40 caliber, semi-automatic handgun was discovered in the waistband of Pavao’s pants during a pat-down by an officer.
Pavao was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to previous convictions in Rhode Island state court on domestic violence charges, drug trafficking charges, and for assault with a dangerous weapon, as well as federal court convictions on drug trafficking and firearm charges.
Pavao is scheduled to be sentenced on September 3, 2025.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald R. Gendron and investigated by the Warwick Police Department, with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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