Bridgeport Man Charged With Federal Firearm Offenses

Deirdre M. Daly, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Rev. PAUL GOTTA, 55, of Bridgeport, formerly of East Windsor, was arrested today by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on federal firearm charges.

GOTTA is charged in a federal criminal complaint with aiding and abetting both the unlawful transport of a firearm in interstate commerce and the purchase of a handgun by a juvenile. The maximum penalty for these offenses is five years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

GOTTA is detained pending a hearing that is scheduled for July 25 at 2:00 p.m. before United States Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport.

Acting United States Attorney Daly stressed that an arrest is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and that every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the East Windsor Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert M. Spector and Special Assistant United States Attorney Natasha M. Dye.  

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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