United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: BRIDGEPORT FELON PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL FIREARMS CHARGE

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DARRELL N. TUCKER, age 36, formerly of 421 Hollister Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut, pleaded guilty today in Hartford to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. TUCKER's plea of guilty was accepted by United States District Judge Christopher F. Droney. It is a violation of federal law for a convicted felon to possess a firearm that moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

U.S. Attorney O'Connor explained that TUCKER was indicted on May 14, 2003, and charged with one count of possession of a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver, after having previously been convicted of a felony offense. At the plea proceeding, TUCKER admitted that in December 9, 2002, while in the vicinity of Bunnell Street and Connecticut Avenue in Bridgeport, he knowingly possessed the .38 caliber revolver after accumulating convictions for three prior felony offenses.

Following his plea of guilty, TUCKER was ordered remanded to federal custody pending sentencing. TUCKER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years and a maximum fine of $250,000 when he is sentenced by Judge Droney on June 4, 2004.

"This case is yet another example of how successful the Bridgeport ATF Task Force has been in supporting the Bridgeport Police Department's focused efforts to detect and investigate firearms offenses," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated.

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

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, and improving the safety of residents in Bridgeport and all of Connecticut's 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