New Haven Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Illegal Gun Possession

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAMES DOUGLAS, also known as “Sucky,” 25, of New Haven, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 26, 2015, New Haven Police officers received a report that a group of young men were in the vicinity of Orchard and Dickerman Streets and that some of them might be armed with firearms. As the officers approached the group, DOUGLAS began to run away, but fell before he could escape. Officers located and seized a .32 caliber revolver loaded with one bullet from the waistband of DOUGLAS’s pants.

Prior to May 2015, DOUGLAS had sustained felony convictions, including convictions for second degree burglary, carrying a pistol without a permit, and assault on public safety personnel.

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.

DOUGLAS has been detained since his arrest on May 26, 2015.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Haven Police Department.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer P. Laraia and Michael E. Runowicz.