United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: BRIDGEPORT MAN ARRESTED IN STAMFORD PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL FIREARMS CHARGE

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RICHARD DAVIS, age 28, formerly of 319 Columbia Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut, pleaded guilty today to a one-count Indictment charging him with possession of ammunition by a previously convicted felon. DAVIS' plea of guilty was accepted by Senior United States District Judge Peter C. Dorsey in New Haven federal court.

U.S. Attorney O'Connor explained that DAVIS was arrested in Stamford on March 16, 2003, when the Stamford Police were called on a report of a "man with a gun." When police arrived at the scene, they observed RICHARD DAVIS run into a residence at 64 Custer Street. DAVIS was subsequently arrested at that location. Despite a diligent search, no firearm was recovered. Five rounds of ammunition were, however, recovered. It was later determined that two witnesses at the residence saw DAVIS place a bag containing the ammunition on a hamper when he ran from the police and into the residence at 64 Custer Street.

At the guilty plea proceeding, DAVIS admitted under oath that on March 16, 2003, he had knowingly possessed 5 rounds of .32 caliber Remington Arms ammunition, and that prior to that date he had been convicted of at least one felony offense in the State of Connecticut. It is a violation of federal law for a convicted felon to possess ammunition that moved in interstate or foreign commerce. Based on his prior criminal record, as alleged in the Indictment, DAVIS had previously been convicted of four felony offenses including first degree assault and possession of a pistol without a permit on two separate occasions. DAVIS faces a maximum term of ten years of imprisonment and $250,000 fine when he is sentenced by Judge Dorsey on September 2, 2004.

This matter was investigated by the Stamford Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James I. Glasser.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, and improving the safety of residents in Stamford 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