New Haven Man Sentenced to 57 Months in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing 2 Handguns

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CARLOS BARNES, also known as “Buddha,” 29, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing two firearms.

Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the court proceeding occurred via videoconference.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 12, 2019, Hamden Police arrested Barnes after they found him in possession of a Taurus Millennium G2 9mm handgun and a Springfield XD-40 .40 caliber handgun with an obliterated serial number.

Prior to October 2019, Barnes was convicted in state court of carrying a pistol without a permit, sale of illegal drugs, and robbery in the first degree.  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.

Barnes has been detained since his arrest.  On July 9, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hamden Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan.

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.