Convicted Felon Sentenced to Probation for Possessing a Firearm

PROVIDENCE, RI – A 33 year-old Providence man previously convicted of drug trafficking and assaulting several police officers was sentenced today to 3 years probation, the first six months to be served in home confinement with electronic monitoring, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The U.S. Sentencing Guidelines range of imprisonment in this matter is 27-33 months. The government recommended the court impose a sentence of 27 months in prison.

According to court documents, Kevin Malave has an adult criminal record beginning at the age of 18 involving eight arrests on 15 charges resulting in 12 counts of conviction.

Malave was arrested by Providence Police on May 17, 2017, following a foot pursuit in the area of the Chad Brown housing development, during which time Malave removed a firearm from his waistband and tossed into a bin as he ran up onto the front porch of a residence. After drawing his firearm and ordering Malave to show his hands, the officer arrested Malave and retrieved the firearm.

According to court documents, the Providence Police officer who arrested Malave had responded to a police dispatch of a man with a gun. As the officer approached the area, he saw and drove toward a man fitting the description of the person described in the police broadcast as having a gun. The individual, later identified as Malave, concealed both of his hands in the area of his waistband and began walking in the opposite direction. Malave fled when the officer accelerated his cruiser toward him.

During the foot pursuit, Malave injured his hand while climbing over a fence. A rescue transported Malave to a hospital for treatment. According to court documents, while at the hospital, Malave was overheard by two members of law enforcement telling a nurse, “I want to kill all the East Side (blank). I’m gonna carry a gun ‘till the day I die.”

Malave’s sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., is announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch and Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.

Project Safe Neighborhoods is a federal, state and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Malave, who had been free on unsecured bond, pleaded guilty on November 17, 2017, to felon in possession of a firearm.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.

United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch thanks the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their assistance in the prosecution of this case.

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