United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: JURY FINDS HARTFORD MAN GUILTY OF FEDERAL FIREARM CHARGE

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in New Haven has found JAMES A. COHENS, 36, last residing on Salisbury Street in Hartford, guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted Felon.  The jury returned its verdict yesterday, April 23, 2008.

According to the evidence presented by the Government during the trial, on March 9, 2007, COHENS engaged Hartford Police officers in a motor vehicle pursuit after officers from the City’s Northeast Conditions Unit approached COHENS who was parked illegally on Brook Street.  The motor vehicle pursuit ended when COHENS crashed his vehicle into two parked vehicles on Garden Street.  COHENS then fled from his disabled vehicle into an alley adjacent to 389 Garden Street.  Following a brief struggle with a Hartford police officer, COHENS pulled a gun from his waist and pointed it at the officer.  COHENS then dropped the gun, scaled a fence and ran to a nearby parking lot.  Officers were able to apprehend COHENS a short distance away.

COHENS was previously convicted in 2001 of possession of narcotics, in 1996 of conspiracy to sell narcotics, in 1991 of sale of narcotics, in 1989 of sale of narcotics and in 1989 of assault second degree.

It is a violation of federal law for a convicted felon to possess a firearm that moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Senior United States District Judge Ellen B. Burns has scheduled sentencing for July 10, 2008.  The charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.  However, if Judge Burns determines that COHENS qualifies as an Armed Career Criminal, COHENS faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of life.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Hartford Police Department’s Northeast Conditions Unit.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Paul H. McConnell.

Acting United States Attorney Dannehy noted that this prosecution is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative.  The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, and improving the safety of residents of Connecticut’s cities.  Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov