Norwich Man Sentenced to 24 Months in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearm

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RAMEL PIRES, 28, of Norwich, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarah F. Russell in New Haven to 24 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for unlawfully possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 26, 2024, a Groton City Police officer attempted to stop Pires who was driving his vehicle erratically. Pires increased his speed before turning into the driveway of a residence. The officer approached Pires and determined he was intoxicated. A search of Pires revealed that he possessed marijuana packaged for distribution, and a search of his vehicle revealed a loaded 9mm Canik TP9 Elite SC handgun. Pires was arrested on state charges at that time.

Pires' criminal history includes a conviction for a firearm possession offense stemming from an incident in 2020 when he shot at an individual during a fight, and a conviction for assaulting a police officer. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

On January 12, 2026, Pires pleaded guilty in federal court to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. He has been detained since his state arrest.

This matter was investigated by the Groton City Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Gresham.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.