United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: NEW HAVEN MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ILLEGAL GUN POSSESSION

Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GREGORY PITTMAN, 29, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

This matter stems from “Operation Jedi Knight,” an investigation jointly conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the New Haven Police Department.  The investigation, which focused on several neighborhoods in New Haven that had experienced increased levels of street violence and gang activity, involved multiple purchases of various quantities of crack cocaine and firearms.  Twenty-eight individuals have been arrested on federal or state charges as a result of the investigation.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 2, 2009, ATF and New Haven Police executed a search warrant at PITTMAN’s Valley Street residence.  The search resulted in the seizure of a loaded .357 caliber pistol, 24 rounds of ammunition, narcotics and narcotics packaging materials, and $742 in cash.

Prior to September 2009, PITTMAN had been convicted of multiple 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.

PITTMAN has been in federal custody since his arrest on September 2, 2009.

Judge Burns has scheduled sentencing for July 2, 2010, at which time PITTMAN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Haven Police Department pursuant to the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher M. Mattei.

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