United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: WATERBURY MAN CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL FIREARMS SALES

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging PHILIP DeFRANCESCO, 39, of Waterbury with three counts of making false statements during the purchase of a firearm and three counts of causing a federally licensed firearms dealer to fail to keep proper records.   The Indictment was returned on June 18, 2009, and unsealed today following DeFRANCESCO’s arrest.

According to the Indictment, DeFRANCESCO was an agent and employee of G and G Pawn Shop, in Bristol, which is a licensed firearms dealer.  The Indictment alleges that, on January 16, 2009, February 4, 2009, and March 9, 2009, DeFRANCESCO sold a total of four firearms to one person while indicating in the records of G and G Pawn Shop that those firearms were sold to another person.

If convicted, DeFRANCESCO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000, on each count.

DeFRANCESCO was arrested today.  He appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Thomas P. Smith and was released on a bond in the amount of $50,000.  Judge Smith also ordered DeFRANCESCO not to sell or possess any firearms while the case is pending.

Acting U.S. Attorney Dannehy stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is entitled to a fair trial at which it is the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the Hartford Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bristol Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan S. Freimann.

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