United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: NEW HAVEN MAN INDICTED FOR ILLEGAL GUN POSSESSION

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced today that DAVID JOWERS, age 22, formerly of 41 Whittlesey Avenue, New Haven, Connecticut, has been charged by indictment with possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon and contempt of court. A federal grand jury sitting in New Haven returned the indictment on February 18, 2004.

According to documents filed in court and statements made in court, JOWERS was arrested in West Haven on October 7, 2003 when the car in which he was riding was stopped. A shotgun was found in the trunk of the car and the shotgun was later determined to belong to JOWERS. When JOWERS was stopped he was also in violation of a previously issued court order that confined him to his residence.

The indictment alleges that prior to October 7, 2003, JOWERS had been convicted of multiple felony offenses, including larceny and possession of narcotics with intent to sell. It is a violation of federal law to possess a firearm that moved in interstate or foreign commerce by a person previously convicted of a felony offense. JOWERS' failure to obey the Court's order requiring him to remain under home detention with electronic monitoring led to the contempt of court charge.

If convicted of this charge, JOWERS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum fine of $250,000. The contempt of court charge carries no maximum term of imprisonment. In addition, JOWERS faces an additional 10 years' imprisonment because the offenses were allegedly committed while he was on pretrial release. Federal law provides for enhanced penalties for persons convicted of committing federal criminal offenses while released on bond.

U.S. Attorney O'Connor stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. It is the Government's burden to prove the defendant's guilt at trial.

"This indictment shows that federal government, through the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, is committed to vigorously enforcing gun laws in order to remove dangerous felons from the streets of New Haven," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated.

This matter was investigated by the New Haven Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John A. Marrella.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, and improving the safety of residents in New Haven and other Connecticut cities. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state 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