A local man with previous felony convictions was arraigned on illegal weapons charges today in New London Superior Court stemming from the Nov. 22 search of his Jewett City residence by federal agents.

Brian L. Fletcher, 33, of 7 Parker Ave. is charged with stealing a firearm and three counts of criminal possession of a firearm. He is being held in lieu of $750,000 bond at the MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution in Suffield.

According to a police report, the FBI's New Haven field office obtained a search warrant after receiving information that Fletcher was violating weapons laws. Agents found two Smith & Wesson pistols in a safe in the master bedroom, one of which had been reported stolen in a residential burglary. They also found a camouflage colored Savage Axis .308 caliber rifle in the master bedroom. Fletcher was arrested after leaving work at Mohegan Sun, where he was a contract employee, according to the police report.

Fletcher, who has lived at various addresses in the New London and Norwich area over the years, has several convictions, including one for the 2002 Groton armed robbery of a man who was carrying a briefcase full of marijuana.

Fletcher will be represented by attorney Peter E. Scillieri, who entered a not guilty plea on his behalf during Monday's court appearance. His next court date is Feb. 4.