United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: NEW HAVEN MAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR ILLEGALLY POSSESSING A FIREARM

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JOHN WHITTING, age 32, of 283 Munson Street, New Haven, Connecticut, has been sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. Senior United States District Judge Peter C. Dorsey sentenced WHITTING this morning in New Haven.

WHITTING pleaded guilty to a one-count Indictment on February 4, 2004, admitting that on October 11, 2002, he possessed a .32 caliber revolver while in the vicinity of Moreland Avenue and Norton Parkway in New Haven. When he noticed New Haven Police officers nearby, WHITTING fled the area. WHITTING, with officers in pursuit, attempted to dispose of the firearm while running through the backyard of a nearby house. The officers recovered the firearm and apprehended and arrested WHITTING. WHITTING had been convicted of numerous felonies at the time he was in possession of the firearm.

"It is a violation of federal law for convicted felons to possess firearms," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated. "Mr. Whitting will now spend the next 10 years of his life in a federal prison, far from his family and friends, because he chose to ignore this law. This Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to prosecute violent and repeat offenders who threaten the safety of others in the New Haven community."

This matter was investigated by the New Haven Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric J. Glover.

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 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