United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: MAN WHO LIED ON FIREARM PURCHASE FORM IS SENTENCED

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAMES STENGEL, 40 of Lee, Massachusetts, formerly of Wethersfield, Connecticut, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to approximately three weeks of imprisonment, time already served, followed by three years of supervised release, the first six months of which STENGEL must spend confined to his home.  On December 7, 2007, STENGEL pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement in the course of purchasing a firearm.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, on February 15, 2007, STENGEL purchased a Stevens, Model 311A, 16 gauge shotgun from Hoffman’s Gun Center in Newington.  In connection with the purchase of this firearm, STENGEL completed an ATF Form 4473 in which he attested that he was not an unlawful user of, or addicted to, a controlled substance, and that he was the intended recipient of the firearm.  At the time, STENGEL was an unlawful user of crack cocaine, and he was purchasing the firearm for an acquaintance of STENGEL’s drug supplier.  The acquaintance, however, was an undercover Hartford Police detective.  The undercover detective had told STENGEL that he could not lawfully purchase a firearm due to his criminal record.

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

The case was investigated by the Hartford Violent Crime Impact Team.  The Violent Crime Impact Team is a joint task force dedicated to combating violent crime and firearms violations.  The Team is composed of federal and local law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Hartford Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

CONTACT:

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