United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: NEW BRITAIN MAN ADMITS ILLEGAL GUN POSSESSION

Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MYLES CAULTON, 38, of New Britain, pleaded guilty today 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, on December 8, 2008, New Britain Police officers, who were conducting surveillance, observed CAULTON in possession of a firearm.  A subsequent search of CAULTON’s Lasalle Street apartment revealed a Charter Arms .38 special revolver, various types of .38 special ammunition, and 5.48 grams of heroin.

The firearm that CAULTON possessed was manufactured in Connecticut, but it had previously been sold by a gun dealer in Massachusetts.  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.

Prior to December 2008, CAULTON had been convicted in state court of felony offenses for possession and sale of narcotics, and for criminal possession of a firearm.  CAULTON also has a prior federal conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on which, in April 2000, he was sentenced in U.S. District Court in New Haven to 41 months of imprisonment.

Judge Thompson has scheduled sentencing for July 28, 2010, at which time CAULTON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the New Britain Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul McConnell.

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