United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: STAMFORD MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF FIREARM

Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DENO DAWES, 20, of Stamford, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Christopher F. Droney in Hartford to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 13, 2009, DAWES ran from a car that had been stopped by Stamford Police.  Police recovered a Lorcin Model L9MM firearm along the route that DAWES had run.  Subsequent investigation revealed that the firearm was possessed by DAWES.

On April 10, 2007, DAWES was convicted in Connecticut Superior Court of second degree robbery, a felony.

It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Judge Droney has scheduled sentencing for December 28, 2009, at which time DAWES faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

DAWES has been detained since his arrest on March 19, 2009.

This case has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Stamford Police Department pursuant to the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sandra S. Glover.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun and gang 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