Pre-Trial Hearing Set for Connecticut Man Accused of Making, Selling Illegal Assault Rifles

By Wendy Ann Mitchell (Patch Staff)

New Fairfield, CT — The New Fairfield man arrested for the alleged making and selling of illegal assault rifles has had his pre-trial hearing dates set, according to court records.

Michael Giannone, 44, was was taken into custody on March 24 after an investigation which was officially completed on June 20, 2016 when police released their report.

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Giannone was caught by police in his white BMW as he dropped his 9-year-old son off at school, police said. Detectives said he was in possession of a firearm while on school property and took him into custody before searching his Merlin Avenue home.

He was charged with nine counts of illegal possession of an assault weapon, three counts of possession of a sawed off shotgun with a silencer and 65 counts of possession of a high capacity weapon, all Class D felonies, court records show.

When police searched his home they found over 10,000 live rounds of ammunition, 12 illegal AR-15 lower receivers without serial numbers, 65 illegal high-capacity magazines, one rifle with an illegal silencer and two additional silencers, according to a release sent by Diedre Daly, U.S. District Attorney for the State of Connecticut.

According to Daly's report, Giannone has the rifles and ammunition in an unlocked closet just steps away from his 9-year-old son's bedroom.

His pre-trial hearing for possessing 65 illegal high-capacity weapons is set for July 15, 2016.

His pre-trial hearing for the sale of the assault weapons is set for July 18.

Giannone was released on $175,000 surety bond and has pleaded not guilty to all charges, according to court records.

Related:

Connecticut Man Arrested for Making and Selling Illegal High Capacity AR-15 Assault Rifles

Connecticut State Police photo