Johnston Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun, Drug Charges

United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha announced that a Johnston man pleaded guilty to federal gun and drug charges during a hearing on Monday.

Anthony Cucinotta, 27, had been charged with to one count of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to Neronha, Cucinotta faces up to 25 years in prison. His is scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 31, 2012.

At a hearing before U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith, Cucinotta admitted that he had his girlfriend sign the paperwork to buy two weapons from a Rhode Island gun shop in November, 2011. 

Earlier this year, Johnston Police and federal Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms agents searched Cucinotta's home and found 21 marijuana plants, items used for distributing the drug, and a Glock 9mm pistol.

In 2004, Cucinotta pleaded no contest to a charge of felony assault brought by Johnston Police. He was given a five-year suspended sentence and five years' probation, according to online court records.

Cucinotta was also sentenced to 30 days in prison and four years suspended sentence in 2006 for violating probation.

Since he had been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more that one year in prison, the latest arrest qualified as a federal crime, Neronha explained.