Robert Gentile, 78, Charged with Firearm Offenses in Connecticut

A Manchester man is facing serious charges after being accused of selling a loaded firearm to a convicted felon. Robert Gentile, 78, was arrested and charged with possession of ammunition by a previously convicted felon and sale of a firearm to a known convicted felon.

According to a federal complaint, Gentile sold a .38 Colt Cobra revolver, loaded with five rounds of Smith & Wesson .38 Special ammunition, to an individual he knew to be a convicted felon on March 2, 2015. The complaint also alleges that Gentile has been previously convicted of multiple felony offenses.

Gentile appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas P. Smith in Hartford and is being held pending a hearing scheduled for April 20 at 10:00 a.m. If convicted, Gentile faces up to 10 years in prison for each charge.

The investigation into Gentile’s activities was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John H. Durham.

Gentile’s lawyer has not commented on the charges. However, U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Gentile is currently on supervised release from a prior federal conviction. If he is found to have violated the terms and conditions of his supervised release, he faces additional penalties.

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