United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: NORWALK MAN ADMITS ILLEGAL GUN POSSESSION

Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that THORN WILLIAMS, 27, of Lexington Avenue, Norwalk, pleaded guilty yesterday, March 8, before Chief United States District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the early morning hours of September 27, 2009, Norwalk Police officers arrested WILLIAMS after they found him in possession of a Ruger P85 semi-automatic handgun with an obliterated serial number.  The firearm was recovered from under the front passenger seat of the vehicle that WILLIAMS occupied while parked at the Washington Village Housing Complex in Norwalk.  The firearm was loaded with 14 rounds of CCI 9mm ammunition.

Prior to September 2009, WILLIAMS had been convicted of felony offenses.  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 Thompson has scheduled sentencing for May 28, 2010, at which time WILLIAMS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This matter was investigated by the Norwalk Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David E. Novick as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, ammunition and body armor, and improving the safety of residents in 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