Stamford Man Arraigned on Firearm Charge

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that KEVIN GENIS, 26, of Stamford, has been charged by indictment with one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

The indictment was returned by a grand jury in New Haven on August 20, 2019.  Genis appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.  Genis has been detained since his arrest on June 27, 2019.

As alleged in court documents, on May 28, 2019, an individual working with law enforcement purchased a Century Arms International 7.62 caliber AK pistol and 10 rounds of ammunition from Genis for $900.

It is further alleged that, in November 2015, Genis was convicted in state court of three counts of possession with intent to sell narcotics.

It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

If convicted of the offense, Genis faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Stamford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria del Pilar Gonzalez.

This prosecution has been brought through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.