Convicted felon in possession of ghost gun sentenced

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A convicted felon who was found in possession of a ghost gun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition has been sentenced to federal prison, according to United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

Rafael Soriano, 35, of Providence pleaded guilty in December of 2023 to possession of the illegal firearm and was sentenced Wednesday to 18 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.

The arrest was made by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) personnel.

Orders of firearm parts, ammunition and accessories were shipped through the U.S. Postal Service to Soriano and his brother Lucas to their mother’s address.

These firearms commonly lack serial numbers and other manufacturer markings making them difficult for law enforcement to trace.

After obtaining a warrant, ATF and USPIS agents searched Rafael Soriano’s residence and seized a privately made firearm with no serial number, two magazines of ammunition and a bag containing 293 rounds of ammunition.

Rafael Soriano was previously convicted and incarcerated for attempted robbery and drug trafficking.

Lucas Soriano was previously convicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm and making false statements during the purchase of a firearm.