A Warwick man, previously convicted of multiple offenses, has pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally possessing a firearm. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.
Court documents reveal that on February 6, 2022, Miguel E. Pavao, aged 52, was stopped by a Warwick Police Officer during a traffic stop. Pavao’s nervous behavior and admission of marijuana possession led the officer to order him out of the vehicle. A subsequent pat-down revealed a fully loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun in his waistband.
Information presented to the court showed that Pavao was prohibited from possessing firearms due to previous convictions in Rhode Island state court for domestic violence, drug trafficking, and assault with a dangerous weapon. He also had prior federal convictions for drug trafficking and firearm charges.
Pavao is set to be sentenced on September 3, 2025. The sentence will be determined by a federal district judge who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant United States Attorney Ronald R. Gendron is prosecuting the case. The investigation involved the Warwick Police Department with support from Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
