Police Seize $14,000 in Illegal Fireworks from RI Man

A 37-year-old Johnston man is facing charges of illegal possession of fireworks after investigators found $14,000 worth in a shed in his yard.

Rhode Island State Police Superintendent Steven G. O’Connell said that Peter St. Lawrence, of 28 Starr St., was arrested earlier this week after police got a tip he was in possession of a “large quantity” of illegal fireworks.

Police got a warrant and on June 29, authorities searched the shed behind St. Lawrence’s house and found the cache of fireworks, police said in a release.

Members of the Rhode Island State Fire Marshals Office helped detectives confirm the fireworks were classified as illegal.

In Rhode Island, only sparklers and other small-scale fireworks that don’t shoot projectiles or make loud explosions are allowed under state law.

St. Lawrence was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Matt Dawson on the charge of Possession of Illegal Fireworks and was released on one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) personal recognizance. St. Lawrence must appear in Third District Court on July 14, 2015 for a re-arraignment.

The penalty for a person convicted of Possession of Fireworks over Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) is a one thousand dollar ($1,000.00) fine for each offense and/or imprisonment for not more than one (1) year for each offense.

Photo: Rhode Island State Police