Hartford Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearm

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that TRAVALE GIVENS, also known as “Newport,” 34, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 108 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2014, Hartford Police received information that GIVENS was selling crack cocaine from an apartment on South Street, and that GIVENS was in frequent possession of a handgun.  On February 27, 2014, an individual working under the direction and supervision of Hartford Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration purchased a quantity of crack from GIVENS.

On March 7, 2014, law enforcement officers stopped a car that GIVENS was operating on New Park Avenue.  A search of GIVENS’ person revealed approximately 245 grams of cocaine concealed in his pants. A subsequent search of GIVENS’ South Street residence revealed a loaded .380 Ruger LCP pistol with an altered serial number, assorted ammunition, approximately 81 grams of crack cocaine, a digital scale and other drug paraphernalia.

GIVENS has been detained since his arrest on March 7, 2014.  On April 23, 2015, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

GIVENS’ criminal history includes several felony convictions, including a conviction for first degree assault.

This matter was investigated by the Hartford Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.