United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: NEW HAVEN MAN SENTENCED TO 77 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR ILLEGAL GUN POSSESSION

David B. Fein, United States for the District of Connecticut, announced that GREGORY PITTMAN, 29, of New Haven, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 77 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.  On April 13, 2010, PITTMAN pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony offense.

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 were arrested on federal or state charges as a result of the investigation.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between June and August 2009, PITTMAN sold crack cocaine on three occasions to an individual working with law enforcement.  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.  As part of his plea agreement, PITTMAN admitted to possessing and distributing crack cocaine.

This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Haven Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher M. Mattei.

This prosecution is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative, a program that is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, and improving the safety of residents throughout Connecticut.  Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as state, federal and local law enforcement agencies.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov