Thompson Gets 8 Years for RI Gun Cache

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A North Carolina man is off the streets for eight years after a stunning discovery on Route 95: a vehicle packed with a dozen loaded firearms, night vision goggles, and enough weaponry to arm a small militia. Anthony Mondrez Thompson, 43, received his sentence today after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms on November 6, 2020.

The bust unfolded when Rhode Island State Police pulled Thompson over. Instead of complying, Thompson allegedly attempted to flee on foot directly onto the busy highway, forcing a trooper to deploy a taser. The subsequent search of his vehicle revealed a loaded Glock .40 caliber pistol tucked under the driver’s seat, complete with flashlight and laser attachments. But that was just the beginning. The rear of the vehicle held eleven more loaded firearms and multiple ammunition clips. A backpack on the backseat contained camouflage clothing, a taser, pepper spray, night vision goggles, a machete, handcuffs, and handgun holsters. This wasn’t a hunting trip; it was an arsenal on wheels.

Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus didn’t mince words: “Day in and day out, law enforcement and federal prosecutors work closely to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and off the streets of our neighborhoods,” he stated. “This defendant traveled from North Carolina with an arsenal… Their seizure, and today’s federal sentence, are an unequivocal win for our communities and for the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Program.”

Rhode Island State Police Superintendent James M. Manni echoed that sentiment, praising his troopers for their vigilance. “I am especially proud today as our Troopers were responsible for apprehending this dangerous individual and seizing a cache of weapons,” Manni said. The firearms weren’t just plentiful, they were also illegally obtained. An analysis by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) revealed that at least three of the seized firearms had been reported stolen – adding another layer of severity to Thompson’s crimes.

“Felons who possess firearms endanger our communities,” declared James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of ATF Boston. “ATF will continue to partner with federal, state, and local agencies to keep firearms out of the wrong hands. As a convicted felon, this sentence ensures that our communities will be safer and sends a message that there are real and severe consequences for firearm offenses.” Thompson was sentenced to 96 months of incarceration, followed by two years of federal supervised release, handed down by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr.

This case was prosecuted under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program focused on reducing violent crime through targeted enforcement and community partnerships. Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah handled the prosecution in federal court. The bust serves as a stark reminder of the constant flow of illegal weapons across state lines and the dedicated work required to intercept them before they reach the wrong hands.

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