United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: MERIDEN MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL GUN CHARGE

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAMES JOHNSON, 53, of Grove Avenue, Meriden, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 17, 2010, JOHNSON sold a Colt .223 caliber semi-automatic rifle to an undercover law enforcement officer.

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.

Judge Bryant has scheduled sentencing for January 10, 2011, at which time JOHNSON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The DEA Task Force includes officers from the New Haven, West Haven, Meriden, Ansonia, Hamden and Branford Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher M. Mattei and S. Dave Vatti.

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