New Bedford Man Facing Federal Prison Time Over Illegal Firearm

BOSTON (WBSM) — A New Bedford man with a lengthy criminal history has pleaded guilty in federal court to unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition.

U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley announced that Calvin Rosa, 23, pleaded guilty on June 16 to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Rosa was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2025.

The charge dates back to March 12, 2025, when Rosa was one of four men arrested on drug charges, where a search of a residence turned up a Smith & Wesson SD40 VE .40-caliber pistol and ammunition were found, believed to be Rosa’s. He was not legally allowed to be in possession of either, after having previous convictions in 2022, 2021, and 2020.

Get our free mobile app

A History of Arrests on the SouthCoast

Previous WBSM reporting noted that in 2022, Rosa was arrested while allegedly in a stolen car in Dartmouth that had fled from police. He was charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle, failing to stop for police, negligent operation, driving with a suspended license and a motor vehicle lights violation. He also had six outstanding warrants on assault and battery, receiving stolen property and drugs charges.

Rosa was arrested in 2021 after a social media post allegedly showed him and a juvenile with marijuana and a gun. He was allegedly found in possession of 43 bags of marijuana weighing a total of over 2.5 pounds, as well as an illegal knife. At that time, he was on probation with 17 open charges in New Bedford District Court and had just been arrested a week prior for allegedly pointing a gun at a victim.

Federal Sentencing and Maximum Penalties

Rosa is scheduled to be sentenced on the federal charge on September 23, 2026. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.