Crime & Safety

Feds Indict Man Suspected in Famous Art Heist on Firearms Charges

Robert Gentile faces multiple counts stemming from search of his home by federal agents.

Robert V. Gentile, 75, of Manchester, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in New Haven on charges of illegal possession of multiple firearms, ammunition and silencers for firearms, U.S. District Attorney for Connecticut David B. Fein announced Monday.

Gentile, according to the FBI, is of 13 priceless paintings from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston.

According to a news release, federal agents executed a search warrant at Gentile's Manchester home  and seized, among other items, two .38-caliber Smith & Wesson revolvers, a .22-caliber North American Arms revolver and numerous rounds of .22-caliber, .32-caliber, .44-caliber and .45-caliber ammunition, as well as numerous boxes of 12-gauge shotgun shells. 

Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

While at the house, agents also confiscated four silencers for handguns from a shed in the back of the property.

Gentile, according to the release, is also being charged with one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of firearms that had traveled in interstate commerce, one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of ammunition that had traveled in interstate commerce, and one count of unlawfully possessing silencers for firearms. 

Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Each of the charges carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

Gentile has been in custody since his arrest on Feb. 10. The case is being investigated by the FBI with the help of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John H. Durham.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.