A man from Florida, who frequently stayed in Coventry, Rhode Island, admitted to illegally possessing firearms modified into machine guns. The announcement came from Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.
Joshua Pavao, aged 44, entered a guilty plea in the U.S. District Court in Providence. He faced charges for possessing a machine gun and an unregistered firearm. The latter was also altered to function as a machine gun with a barrel length significantly shorter than legally required.
In December 2023, Pavao was involved in a high-speed chase with East Providence Police following reports of shots fired. This pursuit led to multiple vehicle crashes before Pavao fled on foot but was quickly apprehended. During the incident, officers discovered three loaded firearms and numerous rounds of ammunition both inside his vehicle and scattered on the roadway.
Following his arrest, law enforcement officials executed a search of Pavao's belongings at his Coventry residence. They seized eight long guns from a duffle bag stored in the garage; four of these weapons were equipped with devices converting them into machine guns.
Pavao's sentencing is set for June 5, 2025. A federal district judge will determine his sentence after reviewing U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
Assistant United States Attorney Paul F. Daly Jr. is prosecuting the case which was investigated by East Providence Police with support from Coventry Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that collaborates across law enforcement levels to reduce violent crime and gun violence while enhancing community safety. Launched on May 26, 2021, PSN emphasizes trust-building within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement actions, and evaluating outcomes.