Convicted Felon Admits to Illegally Possessing of a Firearm

PROVIDENCE – A Warwick man previously convicted and sentenced on firearm, drug trafficking, domestic violence, and assault charges today pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Court documents reflect that on February 6, 2022, a Warwick Police Officer conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Miguel E. Pavao, 52. Based on Pavao’s nervous conduct and an admission to the officer that he was in possession of marijuana, some of which the officer observed on the floor of the vehicle, Pavao was ordered to exit the vehicle. During a pat-down by an officer, a fully loaded .40 caliber, semi-automatic handgun was discovered in the waistband of Pavao’s pants.

According to information presented to the court, Pavao was prohibited from possessing a firearm, having previously been convicted in Rhode Island state court multiple times on domestic violence charges, drug trafficking charges, and for assault with a dangerous weapon, and in federal court on drug trafficking and firearm charges.

Pavao is scheduled to be sentenced on September 3, 2025. The sentence imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald R. Gendron.

The matter was investigated by the Warwick Police Department, with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

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