Press Releases
04/29/2022
New Canaan Police Officer Arrested on Explosives and Weapons Charges
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Bridgeport, CT) – Joseph T. Corradino, Fairfield State’s Attorney, today announced that David W. Rivera, a New Canaan Police Officer, was arrested on explosives and weapons charges. Rivera was arrested on April 28, 2022 on a warrant charging him with Illegal Possession of Explosives in violation of section 29-348 of the Connecticut General Statutes, Illegal Storage of Explosives in violation of section 349 of the Connecticut General Statutes, Illegal Possession of an Assault Weapon in violation of section 53-202 of the Connecticut General Statutes, Illegal Storage of a Firearm in violation of section 29-37i, and three counts of Improper Transfer of a Firearm in violation of section 29-33(c) of the Connecticut General Statutes.
An arrest warrant affidavit submitted by police states that during a search of Rivera’s home in Stratford, quantities of high explosives were found improperly stored. Rivera is alleged to have used the explosives in his business training working dogs for various organizations. The warrant states that Rivera had no permit for the possession of the high explosives and that he was also found to have been in possession of an assault weapon.
The investigation was conducted by the Stratford Police Department, the Naugatuck Police Department, the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad, and the State Police Bomb Squad in cooperation with the Fairfield Judicial District State’s Attorney’s Office. An arrest warrant was obtained following the search of Rivera’s Stratford residence.
“The several police agencies were thorough and professional, moving quickly to address this situation,” Corradino said.
The State’s Attorney emphasized that the charges against Rivera are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty. Illegal Possession and Illegal Storage of Explosives are unclassified felonies punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Possession of an Assault Weapon is a Class D felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. Illegal Transfer of a Firearm is a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Bond was set on the warrant at $250,000. Rivera is to be arraigned in Bridgeport Superior Court on April 29, 2022.