BOLTON, Conn. (WTNH) — A Bolton man was taken into custody Friday after a large search was underway for him when he refused to turn over his guns.
Michael Gramegna, 42, was to surrender 21 firearms registered to him as a condition of his release after being arrested for violating a protective order; however, he didn’t surrender all of them.
An arrest warrant states police learned earlier in February that Gramegna has previously hidden his firearms in his residence on Shoddy Mill Road and around the property. He also reached out on Facebook for people looking to join “his cause.”
Related: CT State Police, FBI search for 21 firearms, Bolton man who violated protective order
On Feb, 4 six children, who were living in the home, were taken from his custody and were placed with Department of Children and Families. Their ages varied from 4- to 9-years-old.
During an interview with a social worker, two of the children spoke of a “panic room” near the rear of the property. They said it was stocked with food, water and firearms.
When social workers went to get the kids from school, staff reportedly heard them say things like: “He [their dad] is going to kill all of you.” “I can’t wait until my dad gets here. You’re all going to be sorry.” “Lockdown doesn’t matter. My dad will come through the [main office] window.” “He’s going to shoot some people. You don’t know how mad he’s going to be.”
On Thursday, Feb. 20, officials returned back to the property to search for the firearms that were not surrendered.
State troopers worked with special agents from the FBI’s New Haven Office to search Gramegna’s property. As a result, they found firearms and ammunition.
According to CSP, an additional 15 firearms were located off-site as part of the search, with one of the recovered firearms being stolen and several of the weapons being unregistered.
RELATED: State Police seize several guns, thousands of rounds of ammunition from Bolton home during arrest
In part, officials found:
- .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol with a magazine.
- Four .25 caliber rounds.
- Ruger magazine with ammunition.
- Black magazine and box of Remington ammunition.
- 250 12 gauge Herter’s Shotgun shells.
- Three .22 caliber ammunition rounds.
- Five Remington 12 gauge slugs.
- 50 .22 long rifle ammunition round.
- 22 various ammunition rounds.
- 44 .22 caliber ammunition rounds.
- One large caliber ammunition round with belt links.
- 12 .22 caliber ammunition rounds.
On Thursday, two protective orders were placed to prohibit Gramegna from possessing firearms and/or ammunition.
In court on Monday, Gremenga told the judge he considered himself a “sovereign nation” and represented himself, maintaining he is the victim in this case, saying, “I’ve done nothing wrong, this is a bunch of false allegations to make me look like someone I’m not.”
