RICHMOND, Va. -- A man accused of being involved in an incident with protesters at the Lee monument is now facing a federal gun charge.
Matthew Lee Frezza has been indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Police say Frezza was one of the people in three pickup trucks who ran over a demonstrator's bicycle after words were exchanged during the early morning hours of June 12.
"Richmond Police Department officers in the area of the Robert E. Lee circle observed individuals in the traffic lanes dismounted with their bicycles. Several pick-up trucks approached them. Words were exchanged between the individuals and the drivers of the pick-up trucks," a Richmond Police spokesperson said. "One pick-up truck sped off and then another pickup truck ran over a bicycle while fleeing the area."
Officers say they later stopped all three trucks and detained multiple people at three locations:
⦁ 2700 block of Hanover Avenue
⦁ The Huguenot Bridge
⦁ 6500 block of Three Chopt Road
"The traffic stops revealed multiple assault-style rifles, handguns, ammunition, and body armor," a Richmond Police spokesperson said. "Three assault-style rifles and one handgun were seized."
Frezza was found to be in possension of a Taurus, Model G3, 9mm caliber, semi-automatic pistol and accompanying ammunition, according to court documents.
Police say the person who claims he was hit during the incident -- has come forward.
A Richmond judge denied bond for Frezza last month.
He is scheduled to be arraigned on the federal charge on Thursday, July 30.
