A pastor in Woodbury previously convicted of a felony faces a weapon charge after he was allegedly found in Plymouth with a CO2-powered gun that fires plastic pellets.
Peter P. Ventura, 67, faces charges of criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and operating an unregistered motor vehicle, according to the Plymouth Police Department .
Police said they received a complaint on June 20 from the State of Connecticut Department of Pardons and Paroles indicating a parole officer received information suggesting that a Terryville resident previously convicted of a felony may be in possession of a firearm. According to police, the suspect was later identified as Ventura.
Investigators learned that Ventura is allegedly known to carry a Byrna pistol with him, police said. Police described the firearm as a “CO2-powered gun that uses plastic ball projectiles that are considered to be a ‘less lethal’ option to a customary pistol.”
During the investigation, Plymouth police confirmed that Ventura is barred from having a Byrna pistol based on his prior felony conviction.
Last Tuesday, Ventura was pulled over just before 5:30 p.m. on South Main Street in Terryville in a 2017 Silver Ford Taurus Police Interceptor model, according to police. Police said the Taurus was unregistered and towed from the scene.
During the stop, police allegedly found Ventura with a Byrna pistol. He was charged and released on a $25,000 non-surety bond.
Ventura is set to face a judge in New Britain Superior Court on July 16.
Ventura currently serves as a pastor for the First Baptist Church of Woodbury. A representative for the church on Wednesday referred any comment to Ventura’s attorney, Bridgeport-based Frank Riccio.
Riccio did not immediately return a request for comment.
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