by Harlem, New York — A Bronx man with a prior manslaughter conviction is back in police custody after NYPD officers allegedly caught him drinking alcohol inside his parked vehicle and discovered a loaded firearm, drugs, and brass knuckles during a search, authorities said.
Police identified the suspect as Anthony Rivera, 46, who was taken into custody Thursday night near West 128th Street and Eighth Avenue. Officers said Rivera was seated inside a red 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander around 9:10 p.m. when they noticed him consuming alcohol inside the vehicle.
Officers say vehicle search uncovered gun and drugs
According to police, officers approached the SUV after observing Rivera drinking inside the parked car. A subsequent search of the vehicle allegedly turned up a loaded SCCY CPX-2 pistol, along with brass knuckles and a quantity of suspected crack cocaine.
Rivera was arrested at the scene and charged with criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a controlled substance, authorities said. His arraignment was pending as of Friday.
Prior manslaughter conviction tied to 2007 killing
Rivera has a lengthy criminal history, including a first-degree manslaughter conviction stemming from a deadly stabbing in the Bronx more than a decade ago.
Police said Rivera was one of two suspects arrested in connection with the July 14, 2007, killing of David Fuentes, 30, inside a basement apartment in the University Heights section of the Bronx. Investigators said the stabbing followed a prior dispute between the men.
Fuentes, a maintenance worker at a local middle school, disappeared after telling family members he planned to take his 6-year-old son swimming, but needed to make a quick stop first. He was later seen entering a basement apartment near his home and was never seen alive again.
Fuentes’ body was later discovered inside the apartment, according to reports at the time.
Prison sentence and multiple releases
Court records show Rivera pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in March 2011 and was sentenced to 11 years in state prison. He began serving his sentence in April of that year.
Rivera was conditionally released in December 2016 under a state statute that allows early release for inmates not serving life sentences. Records indicate he was returned to custody in January 2018, though the reason was not immediately clear, and then released again in March 2018.
His period of community supervision expired in December 2021, officials said.
Long criminal history spans decades
Police said Rivera’s criminal record includes seven prior arrests, several of them involving drugs and violent conduct.
Between 2001 and 2006, Rivera was repeatedly arrested and incarcerated on drug possession and drug sale charges, with multiple releases and returns to custody during that time. Authorities said three of his arrests involved drug possession with intent to sell.
Rivera was also arrested in March 1997 on an armed robbery charge, and later accused of breaking a police officer’s elbow during an arrest attempt in March 2006, police said.
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In May 2008, Rivera was charged with bringing contraband into Rikers Island while being held there, according to law enforcement records.
Police emphasize ongoing enforcement
NYPD officials did not comment further on the specifics of Rivera’s arrest but said the case underscores the importance of proactive patrols and vigilance.
While the incident began as a routine observation of a driver allegedly drinking inside a vehicle, police said it quickly escalated due to the discovery of a firearm and narcotics.
Authorities have not said whether Rivera was legally prohibited from possessing a gun at the time of his arrest, though his prior felony conviction would typically bar firearm ownership under New York law.
Next steps in the case
Rivera remains in custody as prosecutors prepare to move forward with the new charges. It was not immediately known whether additional charges would be filed following further testing of the suspected drugs or ballistics analysis of the weapon.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police said more details are expected to be released following Rivera’s arraignment.
For now, officials say the arrest prevented a potentially dangerous situation from escalating further on a busy Harlem street.
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