Armed Felon Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Federal Prison

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ADRIAN BELLE, also known as “A.B.,” 24, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 65 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 18, 2018, Belle was the passenger in a vehicle stopped by New Haven Police officers.  When the officers asked Belle to step out of the vehicle, he reached into the center console, exited the vehicle and then began to flee on foot.  Officers observed Belle throw an object during the pursuit.  Once Belle was stopped and secured in handcuffs, officers located a Smith and Wesson .380 Caliber firearm with an obliterated serial number in Belle’s front right jacket pocket.  Officers also retrieved a loaded firearm magazine that Belle had thrown while running.

Belle’s criminal history includes a conviction in October 2014 for robbery in the first degree.  During the robbery, Belle pointed a loaded firearm at a victim.  In August 2011, Belle was convicted of three counts of assault on personnel.

Belle has been detained since his arrest.  On September 17, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, and the New Haven Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter D. Markle, Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis and Nathaniel J. Gentile.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.