Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

 John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, and Willimantic Police Chief Roberto Rosado today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford returned a superseding indictment yesterday charging MOHAMMADREZA KAMALI, also known as “Reza,” 18, of Willimantic, with several firearms offenses. 

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, the investigation into Kamali began after law enforcement learned that Kamali was offering to sell firearms to individuals in Connecticut.  On November 2, 2018, Kamali was arrested on a federal criminal complaint after he sold four AR-15 style firearms, which he had built himself after ordering parts on the internet, to an undercover ATF special agent.

On November 14, 2018, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Kamali with one count of dealing in firearms without a license, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  The three-count superseding indictment returned today adds one count of possession of a firearm made in violation of the National Firearms Act, and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.  Both of these charges, which carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count, relate to Kamali’s alleged sale of a short-barreled rifle to the undercover ATF agent.

 Kamali has been released on a $50,000 bond since November 29, 2018.

U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Willimantic Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Clark.

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