WOODBURY, Conn. — A pastor of a church in Woodbury was arrested for illegally possessing a firearm. The pastor spoke exclusively with FOX61 about the incident, which he says was all a big misunderstanding.
Dr. Peter Ventura is the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Woodbury. He was arrested last week for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, but Ventura claims it was the police who gave him permission to own that weapon in the first place. He's also facing an operating an unregistered vehicle charge, according to Plymouth police.
In addition to being a pastor, Ventura is also a convicted felon. He was convicted on multiple counts of first-degree sexual assault in the 1980s for what then-State’s Attorney John Connelly called, “Brutal and vicious rapes.”
Ventura, who served 15 years at Cheshire Correctional, told FOX61 he’s a different person.
“I can’t go back and change time,” said Ventura. “I’ve done everything that a fella can do to rehab his life.”
Plymouth police told FOX61 they got a tip from Ventura’s parole officer that he may be in possession of a weapon. He was arrested on June 25 and charged with criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon for carrying a Byrna, a less-than-lethal launcher that fires plastic pellets and balls of pepper spray. Ventura claims Plymouth police told him it was OK to own.
“When I came from California, I called the local police department and asked them if it was legal to carry a pellet gun on my property, and they told me it was,” said Ventura.
Ventura told FOX61 he’s been transparent with his congregation about the incident.
“I told my congregation the truth. That I had made the phone call to the police department. I would never have broken the law. I made sure they told me it was OK,” said Ventura.
During his arrest, Plymouth police also questioned Ventura about his car, a silver Ford Taurus Interceptor that resembles a law enforcement vehicle. It was equipped with radios that he says he uses to check the weather and talk to truckers.
“I bought the car in California. I had no idea that the police out here had that car,” said Ventura. “I have a CB set and I’m a preacher. I preach to truck drivers on the road."
In 2004, while still incarcerated, Ventura sued the state Department of Correction, claiming it put illegal restrictions on his right to practice his religion. He now runs a prison ministry where 40 inmates are working toward getting degrees.
“I’ve been out for 14 years. I don’t have any record. I don’t even have a parking ticket,” said Ventura.
Ventura told FOX61 he’s working to gather transcripts and phone recordings as evidence the police told him it was OK to own a Byrna. His bond was set to $25,000 and is scheduled to appear in court in New Britain on July 16.
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Matt Caron is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at mcaron@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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