New Haven Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Handgun

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging ERRIE McCLENDON, also known as “Buck,” 28, of New Haven, with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The indictment was returned on June 11, 2019.  McClendon appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.  McClendon was ordered detained pending trial.

As alleged in the indictment, on May 11, 2019, McClendon possessed a Ruger, model P85, 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number.  Prior to that date, McClendon had been convicted in state court of felony narcotics and larceny 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.

If convicted of the offense, McClendon faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

McClendon has been detained since June 19, 2019, when he was arrested on a state probation violation charge.

U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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

This prosecution has been brought through 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.