United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: WATERBURY MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL FIREARMS CHARGE
"Armed Career Criminal" faces mandatory15 year sentence

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced today that MARLAND DAVIS, age 34, formerly of 1424 Thomaston Avenue, Waterbury, Connecticut, pleaded guilty to a one count indictment charging him with possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. DAVIS' plea of guilty was accepted by Senior United States District Judge Alfred V. Covello in federal court in Hartford, Connecticut.

U.S. Attorney O'Connor explained that DAVIS was arrested on June 30, 2003, after Waterbury police officers executed a search warrant at his home and found one Browning 9 millimeter pistol in a safe in the kitchen. He was placed in state custody on the date of his arrest and transferred to federal custody soon after a federal grand jury returned the indictment against him in this case.

During the plea canvass, DAVIS admitted under oath that on June 30, 2003, he knowingly possessed the Browning 9 millimeter pistol. He also admitted that prior to June 30, 2003, he had been convicted of several felony offenses, including felony convictions in Connecticut for possession of narcotics with intent to sell, first degree burglary and second degree burglary. It is a violation of federal law for a convicted felon to possess a firearm that moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

As a result of his prior criminal record, which includes at least three prior convictions for serious drug offenses and/or crimes of violence, DAVIS faces a mandatory minimum term of fifteen years' incarceration and as much as life imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000 when he is sentenced by Judge Covello on April 8, 2004 at 1:00 p.m.

U.S. Attorney O'Connor noted that this case was one of the first prosecuted under Waterbury's newly created Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative. "The federal government is now fully engaged in its commitment of resources to Waterbury in order to work with state authorities to remove the most violent and dangerous criminals from the streets," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated.

Waterbury State's Attorney John Connelly added "We are very pleased with the cooperative relationship that has been established with federal authorities and believe today's guilty plea and the 15 year mandatory minimum sentence to which DAVIS is exposed will send a strong deterrent message to other felons who are inclined to possess guns."

This matter was investigated by the Waterbury Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert M. Spector.

In addition to Waterbury, the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative is currently operating in New Haven, Hartford, Bridgeport and Stamford. The PSN program is aimed at reducing gun violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, and improving the safety of residents in Connecticut's cities. Participants in this federal firearms initiative include community members and organizations as well as state, federal and local law enforcement agencies. More information on the nationwide Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative can be found at www.psn.gov.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov