United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: BRIDGEPORT MAN SENTENCED TO 41 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR ILLEGAL GUN POSSESSION

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDWIN RIVERA, also known as “Gordo,” 37, of Clarence Street, Bridgeport, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Christopher F. Droney in Hartford to 41 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.  On July 22, 2010, RIVERA pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a previously convicted felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 14, 2008, Bridgeport Police stopped a vehicle RIVERA was driving in the area of Arctic Street and Noble Street.  After RIVERA was removed from the vehicle, officers observed a Taurus, Model PT 111, 9mm semiautomatic pistol between the right front seat of the vehicle and the passenger door.  The firearm was loaded with eight rounds of ammunition.  Officers also removed a red woman’s wig from RIVERA’s head and a pair of black plastic gloves from the vehicle.

In 2007, the registered owner of the gun reported it as stolen to the Derby Police Department.

RIVERA’s criminal history includes 13 state convictions, including four felony convictions for selling narcotics.  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.

This case was investigated by the Bridgeport ATF Task Force, which is composed of agents and officers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Bridgeport Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Felice Duffy as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, ammunition and body armor, and improving the safety of residents in 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