United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: NEW HAVEN MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL CRACK COCAINE DISTRIBUTION CHARGE

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DANIEL BROWN, also known as “D,” 30, formerly of Blake Street in New Haven, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Mark R. Kravitz in New Haven to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution, of five grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2009, BROWN met with an individual working with law enforcement on Lilac Street in New Haven.  At that meeting, BROWN, a convicted felon, expressed an interest in acquiring firearms, which he intended to sell to others.  BROWN advised that he was willing to exchange crack cocaine for the firearms.  The individual working with law enforcement agreed to put BROWN in touch with a gun supplier.

On May 13, 2009, BROWN met with an undercover ATF agent posing as a gun supplier.  After BROWN provided the undercover agent with 45 grams of crack cocaine in exchange for six firearms, he was arrested.

Judge Kravitz has scheduled sentencing for September 30, 2010, at which time BROWN faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years, a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and a fine of up to $2 million.

BROWN has been detained since his arrest.

This case has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) and the New Haven Police Department.  The case is being 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