David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDSON SILVA MAGALHAES, 43, a citizen of Brazil last residing in Stratford, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 15 months of imprisonment for illegally possessing firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 5, 2012, SILVA MAGALHAES and another individual entered a firearms store in Monroe seeking to purchase high-capacity pistol magazines, handgun ammunition, shotgun shells, night-vision equipment and body armor.  SILVA MAGALHAES revealed that he intended to smuggle weapons and other equipment from the United States into Brazil, where he claimed family members had been attached.  A store employee told SILVA MAGALHAES that the business did not carry several of the requested items, and that high-capacity magazines would need to be fitted to a specific pistol make and model.  The employee sold some ammunition to SILVA MAGALHAES and the other individual, and arranged for further communications with them regarding the high-capacity magazines.  Shortly thereafter, the employee contacted law enforcement.

On March 21, 2012, SILVA MAGALHAES was arrested after he attempted to purchase a 12 gauge shotgun and two 9mm pistols from an undercover law enforcement officer in exchange for $1,400.

SILVA MAGALHAES has been detained since his arrest.  On May 7, 2012, he pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.

SILVA MAGALHAES will be subject to deportation proceedings following his release from federal prison.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Stratford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Vizcarrondo.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

 

 

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