United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: NEW BRITAIN FELON PLEADS GUILTY TO POSSESSION OF STOLEN FIREARM

Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LIONEL DELEON, 41, formerly of Winter Street, New Britain, pleaded guilty today before Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to one count of unlawfully possessing a stolen firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 9, 2009, New Britain police officers executed a search warrant at DELEON’s Winter Street residence where they recovered a .45 caliber revolver and ammunition.  The gun had previously been reported stolen from a firearms store in Plainville.

It is a federal crime to possess a stolen firearm when one knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the firearm is stolen.

Judge Burns scheduled DELEON’s sentencing for July 23, 2010, at which time DELEON 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 and the New Britain Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher M. Mattei.

U.S. Attorney Dannehy noted that this prosecution is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative.  This program is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence, deterring illegal possession, sale and trafficking of guns, and improving the safety of residents throughout Connecticut.  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