Cleveland Man Convicted of Rape Found with 18 Firearms

A Cleveland man previously convicted of rape and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor was indicted in federal court for possessing 18 firearms and ammunition, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

Charles Imbrugia, age 45, possessed the ammunition and firearms on Dec. 22, 2015. The firearms included a River Arms 7.62-caliber rifle, a Molot Oruzhie 7.62-caliber rifle, a Norinco 7.62-caliber rifle, multiple 12-gauge shotguns, a Remington .22-caliber rifle, an Israel Weapon Industries .50-caliber pistol and several other firearms, according to the indictment.

"This defendant had an arsenal," Dettelbach said. "Our office places a high priority on keeping firearms out of the hands of those who are forbidden by law from obtaining them."

Imbrugia was previously convicted in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court of three counts of rape and two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. As a convicted felon, he is forbidden by law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

If convicted, a defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Ohio Adult Parole Authority.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Galvin.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.