News Release
U.S. Department of Justice
Peter F. Neronha
United States Attorney
District of Rhode Island

April 20, 2010

GUILTY PLEA IN PROVIDENCE GUN CASE
                                   

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Providence man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Angel Polanco, 50, entered a change of plea before U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith; it was announced by U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha. 

Providence Police arrested Polanco on April 4, 2009, while they were investigating two separate reports of disturbances at a Hartford Avenue address. An individual, identified as the son-in-law of Polanco, told police Polanco had threatened to shoot him over $2,000.  While police were taking the report they saw Polanco drive by. They stopped his vehicle a short distance away placed him in a police cruiser while they continued their investigation.

A short time later, police received a second call for a disturbance at the same address. While responding, police saw Polanco’s son and another man walking away, and found the original complainant bleeding. Police removed the elder Polanco from the cruiser and replaced him with his son. The elder Polanco then returned to his vehicle, and not realizing police were watching, retrieved a .38 caliber revolver from the vehicle and tossed it into a nearby driveway. Police recovered the weapon and arrested Polanco.

Polanco, who was previously convicted of a felony, has been detained since his arrest. He is scheduled to be sentenced in August.

The matter was investigated by ATF and the Providence Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard W. Rose.

Contact: 401-709-5357
USARI.Media@usdoj.gov