RICHMOND, Va. -- Federal officials say a convicted felon was sentenced to more than four years in prison for possessing weapons and ammunition during a demonstration in Richmond.
Matthew Lee Frezza was arrested during the early morning hours of June 12 after leaving the Robert E. Lee Monument during civil unrest in Richmond.
He was found to be in possession of an assault rifle, handgun, ballistic vest, and eight magazines of ammunition.
The incident started when Richmond Police officers observed a caravan of three trucks driving recklessly in the vicinity of the Robert E. Lee Monument.
Based on the reckless driving, RPD officers executed a traffic stop on one of the pickup trucks at the intersection of Old Mill Road and Boatwright Road.
Officers observed all three occupants of the truck armed with firearms, including Frezza, who is a convicted felon.
Investigators say he possessed a Taurus, Model G3, 9mm caliber, semi-automatic pistol. The assault rifle possessed by Frezza was later determined to be a homemade rifle without a serial number, which contained a loaded, high-capacity magazine.
Frezza pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and faced a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
