Convicted Felon From Providence Sentenced For Having Ghost Gun, Hundreds Of Rounds Of Ammo

PROVIDENCE, RI — A convicted felon from Providence was sentenced to a year-and-a-half in prison after admitting to possessing a ghost gun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha said Thursday.

Rafael Soriano, 35, pleaded guilty in December 2023 to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Following his release, he must serve three years of federal probation.

Prosecutors said Soriano's arrest happened during an investigation involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the U.S. Postal Service.

According to court documents, retailers that specialize in the advertising and sale of gun parts, ammunition, and accessories shipped orders to Soriano and his brother, to their mother's home. These orders contained items that are commonly used to manufacture privately made guns that lack serial numbers and other markings, rendering them difficult for law enforcement to trace.

Federal agents then searched Soriano's home and seized a homemade gun with no serial number, two magazines with 37 rounds of ammunition, and a bag with 293 rounds of ammunition in it, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said Soriano was previously convicted and incarcerated on attempted robbery and drug trafficking charges. He was also previously convicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm and making false statements during the purchase of a firearm. He is currently serving a two-year federal prison sentence.

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