Convicted Felon Gave Gun To Juvenile After Seeing Police: Meriden PD

MERIDEN, CT — A Meriden man is accused of giving a juvenile a gun after seeing police enter the Meriden Green during an investigation last month, according to police.

The Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) began an investigation in April into reports of drug dealing and armed suspects at Meriden Green, according to Sgt. Michael Boothroyd.

During the investigation, Boothroyd said a juvenile was found in possession of a .357 revolver and approximately 2 grams of crack/cocaine.

The juvenile, who is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm due to their age, was arrested, charged, and released to their parents on a juvenile summons, according to Boothroyd.

The juvenile was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit and possession of narcotics.

Boothroyd said it was determined that 38-year-old Osvaldo Rivera handed the revolver to the juvenile upon seeing members of CSU entering the green.

Rivera was arrested on a warrant and charged with criminal possession of a firearm, risk of injury to a minor, possession of narcotics, and possession of narcotics with intent to sell.

Boothroyd said that at the time of Rivera’s arrest, he was in possession of approximately 3 grams of crack/cocaine.

Rivera is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing a firearm, according to Boothroyd.

He was held in lieu of a $115,000 bond for the gun-related charges and an additional $100,000 bond for the narcotic-related charges, according to Boothroyd.