United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

NORWALK MAN INDICTED ON FEDERAL GUN, DRUG CHARGES

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Bridgeport today returned an Indictment charging THOMAS E. PRIEST, age 22, of 100 Taylor Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut, with possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number after previously having been convicted of a felony, and with selling crack cocaine.

The Indictment alleges that on December 4, 2003, PRIEST possessed an IAG .25 caliber pistol after being convicted in state court on September 20, 2002, of possessing narcotics, with possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number, and with possessing with the intent to distribute crack cocaine.

If PRIEST is convicted, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years on the firearms violations and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a $1 million fine on narcotics charge.

U.S. Attorney O'Connor stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial at which it is the Government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Norwalk Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James J. Finnerty.

CONTACT:

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