United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: HARTFORD MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ILLEGAL GUN POSSESSION

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that DAVID GRIFFIN, 24, of Hillside Avenue, Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday, September 7, before United States District Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis in New Haven to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 9, 2010, GRIFFIN was arrested by Hartford Police after he was found possession of a Taurus model .38 Special, .38 caliber revolver and a small amount of crack cocaine.

Prior to January 9, 2010, GRIFFIN had been convicted of multiple felony offenses, including third degree robbery, possession of narcotics, and third degree larceny.  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.

GRIFFIN is scheduled to be sentenced on November 29, 2010, by United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport, at which time GRIFFIN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

GRIFFIN has been detained in state custody since his arrest.

This case was investigated by the Hartford Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan S. Freimann.

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