79-Year-Old Felon Charged with Illegal Firearm Possession in Connecticut

Police executed a search warrant and found a loaded Ruger .22-caliber revolver in the suspect's home.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:54pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of the cylinder of a loaded revolver, with the metal surfaces and individual bullets sharply illuminated by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A recent arrest for illegal firearm possession in Connecticut raises concerns about public safety and the enforcement of gun laws.Terryville Today

A 79-year-old man named Paul R. Yarema has been charged with criminal possession of a firearm in Plymouth, Connecticut. Police received credible information in February that Yarema, a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms, was in possession of a gun. A search warrant was executed at Yarema's Terryville residence on April 3, where a loaded Ruger .22-caliber revolver was found inside the home. Yarema was processed and released after posting bond, and is scheduled to appear in court on April 28.

Why it matters

Felons possessing firearms is a serious crime that raises public safety concerns, especially when the individual is an older adult. This case highlights the importance of law enforcement acting on credible tips and using search warrants to remove illegal weapons from the community.

The details

In February, the Plymouth Police Department received information indicating that Paul R. Yarema, a 79-year-old resident of Terryville, Connecticut, was in possession of a firearm despite being a convicted felon prohibited from owning guns. Police obtained a search warrant for Yarema's residence and executed it on April 3, locating a loaded Ruger .22-caliber revolver inside the home.

  • In February, police received credible information about Yarema's firearm possession.
  • On April 3, police executed a search warrant at Yarema's residence.
  • On April 14, Yarema was charged with criminal possession of a firearm.
  • Yarema is scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court on April 28.

The players

Paul R. Yarema

A 79-year-old resident of Terryville, Connecticut who was charged with criminal possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.

Plymouth Police Department

The law enforcement agency that received the tip about Yarema's firearm possession, obtained a search warrant, and executed it to locate the loaded Ruger revolver.

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What they’re saying

“Felons possessing firearms is a serious crime that raises public safety concerns, especially when the individual is an older adult.”

— Plymouth Police Department

What’s next

Yarema is scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court on April 28, where a judge will determine if he will be allowed to post bail or be held in custody until his trial.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of law enforcement acting swiftly on credible tips about illegal firearm possession, even when the suspect is an elderly individual, in order to uphold public safety and remove dangerous weapons from the community.