New Britain Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of Loaded Handgun
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN ANDERSON, 38, of New Britain, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 11, 2018, Hartford Police officers responded to a ShotSpotter detection system alert of gunfire in the vicinity of Vernon Street. At the scene, officers observed Anderson and another man pacing back and forth before entering a vehicle. When officers approached the vehicle, they saw live ammunition in the center console cup holder. A subsequent search of the car revealed a loaded Ruger Model EC9S 9mm semi-automatic handgun with an obliterated serial number underneath the seat Anderson had occupied. Anderson later admitted to ownership of the firearm.
Anderson’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for burglary in the third degree and assault in the second 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.
Anderson is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea on June 27, 2019, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
Anderson has been detained since his arrest on October 11.
This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hartford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.
This prosecution has been brought though 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.
