NEW HAVEN, CT – Jose Antonio Molina-Montalvo, 36, of Waterbury, is heading to federal prison for nearly five years after illegally hawking a rifle and ammunition on the streets. U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden handed down the 58-month sentence today, followed by three years of supervised release, effectively taking Molina-Montalvo off the streets for the foreseeable future.
The deal went down October 15, 2024. Molina-Montalvo allegedly peddled a Harrington & Richardson 1871 INC. Handi Rifle, along with a full 39 rounds of ammunition, to a confidential informant for a measly $300. It wasn’t just the sale itself that landed him in trouble; it was who was selling. Molina-Montalvo’s rap sheet reads like a catalog of bad decisions.
Court records reveal a history of state felony convictions, including assault, narcotics trafficking, the horrific charge of strangulation, harassment, burglary, and larceny. Federal law is clear: a convicted felon isn’t allowed to possess firearms or ammunition that has crossed state lines – and that rifle almost certainly did. Molina-Montalvo knew the rules, and chose to ignore them, adding another layer of brazen disregard for the law.
Authorities had Molina-Montalvo in custody already. He was arrested on unrelated state charges on October 21, 2024, just days after the gun sale. He ultimately pleaded guilty on March 28, 2025, to the federal charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, cutting a deal to avoid a potentially longer sentence, but still facing significant time behind bars.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led the investigation, a testament to their ongoing efforts to stem the flow of illegal firearms. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan J. Guevremont prosecuted the case, framing it under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing gun violence through coordinated law enforcement and community engagement. PSN aims to target the most dangerous offenders and make a real impact on neighborhood safety.
This case serves as a stark reminder that those with a history of violent crime will be held accountable for illegally obtaining and distributing firearms. Those looking for more information on Project Safe Neighborhoods can visit www.justice.gov/psn. For Molina-Montalvo, the streets of Waterbury are replaced by the concrete walls of a federal prison, and a long road to potential rehabilitation lies ahead.
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Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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