SEABROOK –– A Rhode Island man pleaded guilty today to unlawful firearm possession as a convicted felon in federal court, according to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack.
Garrito “Tony” Fort, 39, admitted to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante scheduled his sentencing for January 25, 2024. Fort was charged on August 1, 2022.
Court documents reveal that on November 1, 2021, Fort believed a man had scratched his car the night before, prompting him to confront the man in Seabrook.
Armed with a Taurus 9 mm pistol, Fort’s confrontation lasted approximately three minutes.
During this time, two witnesses attempted to separate the two men, with one advising Fort to “put that gun away.”
Fort discharged his weapon twice.
The first shot seriously injured another man, while the second shot killed the man Fort believed had damaged his car. The incident was captured on video.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge in accordance with the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
