Crime & Safety

East Windsor Priest Placed on Leave Facing Federal Firearms Charges

Father Paul Gotta, placed on leave earlier this week after being accused of sexually abusing a minor, is now facing federal firearms charges.

The East Windsor priest placed on leave earlier this week after he was accused of sexually assaulting a minor, is now facing federal firearms charges.

Father Paul Gotta, 55, who now resides in Bridgeport, was charged with aiding and abetting both the unlawful transport of a firearm in interstate commerce and the purchase of a handgun by a juvenile in violation of federal law, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s office.

He was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, according to the press release.

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The maximum penalty for these offenses is five years in jail and a $250,000 fine.

Gotta, administrator of St. Philip in East Windsor and St. Catherine in Broad Brook, was been placed on administrative leave on Monday pending the outcome of a police investigation on allegations of sexual abuse of a minor, the Archdiocese of Hartford announced on Monday.

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He is being investigated by East Windsor police for those allegations.

Gotta also tipped off police that Kyle Bass, 18, of East Windsor, had made disturbing comments concerning his Bloomfield-based high school and that Bass had weapons and the ability to make explosives.


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