Manchester Man Faces Serious Federal Firearm Charges After Allegedly Defying Protection Order

A 30-year-old Manchester resident, Syed Ali Lakanwal, finds himself in serious legal trouble, now facing a litany of federal firearm charges. It seems the allegations paint a rather stark picture: Mr. Lakanwal is accused of not only possessing firearms while explicitly prohibited by a domestic violence protection order but also of allegedly making false statements when he acquired these weapons. It's a situation that brings together complex legal restrictions and grave potential consequences.

The saga, as court documents suggest, traces back to July 2023. That's when Manchester police initially responded to a domestic disturbance. Following that incident, a domestic violence protection order was officially issued against Lakanwal in October 2023. Now, under federal law, being subject to such an order immediately bars an individual from possessing any firearms. It's a crucial piece of legislation designed to enhance safety in vulnerable situations.

However, despite this clear legal injunction, Lakanwal allegedly went on to acquire several firearms. We're talking about a shotgun and various rifles, purchased between November 2023 and February 2024. What's more, when filling out the mandatory federal forms – specifically the ATF Form 4473, which is required for all firearm purchases from licensed dealers – he's accused of ticking the box that falsely declared he was not, in fact, subject to a protection order. This particular detail is central to one of the key charges against him.

The investigation culminated this past April when federal and local authorities, armed with a search warrant, executed it at Lakanwal’s Manchester residence. Inside, they reportedly discovered multiple firearms, a considerable amount of ammunition, and various firearm parts. This discovery led directly to his arrest and subsequent appearance in federal court, marking a significant escalation in the case.

The potential penalties for these alleged actions are quite severe. For each count of possessing firearms while under a domestic violence protection order, Lakanwal could face up to ten years in federal prison. And for the charges related to making false statements during the acquisition of firearms, he could be looking at an additional five years for each count. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau, underscoring the federal government's commitment to enforcing firearm laws, particularly in cases involving domestic protection orders.