United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods:
MERIDEN MAN ADMITS ILLEGAL GUN POSSESSION

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LARRY LEE, 30, of Meriden, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 15, 2010, law enforcement officers executed a court-authorized search warrant at LEE’s residence and recovered one Ruger P90DC .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun, 20 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition, more than eight pounds of marijuana, more than $28,000 in U.S. currency, drug packaging materials, and an electronic money counter.

LEE previously had been convicted of two felony offenses.

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.

LEE has been in federal custody since his arrest on March 22, 2011.

U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill has scheduled sentencing for August 1, 2011, at which time LEE 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, Meriden Police Department, Hamden Police Department, New Haven Police Department, Branford Police Department, West Haven Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Marc H. Silverman.

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