SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A former Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB) officer, William Cintrón-Rivera, also known as “El Kid/Kid,” received an eight-year federal prison sentence Wednesday for a brazen theft of 54 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition from the Guayama headquarters on July 17, 2019. The once-trusted officer didn’t stop at stealing the weapons; he then allegedly attempted a clumsy cover-up, intimidating multiple witnesses to protect himself.
Cintrón-Rivera, who pleaded guilty in April 2023 after being indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2021, wasn’t just accused of taking the guns. He was found to be in possession of six of the stolen firearms and a substantial quantity of ammunition. The Department of Justice confirmed the defendant will also forfeit his position within the PRPB and is ordered to pay $48,624 in restitution to the bureau for the stolen property.
Court documents detail a calculated attempt to obstruct the investigation. Cintrón-Rivera allegedly tried to strong-arm two individuals into providing false alibis, attempting to muddy the waters regarding his whereabouts on the night of the theft. He wasn’t content with just misleading investigators about his location; he also allegedly targeted a woman, attempting to manipulate her testimony regarding their relationship and any potential knowledge she might have had of his activities.
The scheme reportedly included pressuring the woman to lie about the length and nature of their relationship, attempting to conceal the identity of a potential informant, and even trying to account for payments allegedly made for a cell phone. This wasn’t simply about covering his tracks; it was a concerted effort to dismantle the truth and evade accountability, according to prosecutors.
The investigation, a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the PRPB, highlights the vulnerability of police armories to internal threats. ATF Special Agent in Charge Christopher Robinson emphasized the importance of vigilance and integrity within law enforcement. U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico stated the sentence sends a clear message: abuse of power and theft will be met with swift and severe justice.
The ATF is still seeking information regarding the remaining missing PRPB firearms. Anyone with knowledge of their whereabouts is urged to contact the ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luis A. Valentin led the prosecution of the case, ensuring Cintrón-Rivera faced the consequences for betraying his oath and endangering the public.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Press Release
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