New Haven Man Sentenced To More Than Four Years In Federal Prison For Illegal Gun Possession

Deirdre M. Daly, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RUFUS SPEARMAN, 36, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 52 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, during a police pursuit on November 10, 2012, SPEARMAN discarded a loaded .50 caliber semi-automatic pistol underneath the front porch of a residence on Clover Place in New Haven.  He was apprehended a short time later and the firearm was recovered.  A search of SPEARMAN’s person revealed quantities of marijuana and methylone, also known as “bath salts.”

SPEARMAN’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for sale of hallucinogen/narcotics, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, arson and conspiracy to commit arson in the first degree.

SPEARMAN has been detained since his arrest on November 10, 2012.  On July 11, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the New Haven Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony E. Kaplan.

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U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
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thomas.carson@usdoj.gov