United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

WINDSOR MAN CHARGED WITH WEST HARTFORD JEWELRY STORE ROBBERY

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Hartford returned an indictment today charging KEVIN G. CARTER, age 38, of Windsor, Connecticut, in connection with the March 20, 2003, armed robbery of the Harstan's Jewelry Store in West Hartford, Connecticut.

The Indictment charges CARTER with carrying out an armed robbery in violation of the federal Hobbs Act, a statute that prohibits robbery that affects interstate commerce. A conviction on this count could result in up to 20 years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The Indictment further charges CARTER with using a firearm in connection with a crime of violence. A conviction on this count carries a mandatory minimum seven years of imprisonment, consecutive to any sentence imposed on the first count. The third count of the Indictment charges CARTER with being a felon in possession of a firearm, a crime which could result in a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years of imprisonment. In addition, CARTER could be fined an additional $250,000, each, on counts two and three.

CARTER has been detained in state custody since his arrest in June 2003.

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 Indictment resulted from the cooperative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and detectives from the West Hartford, Avon and Windsor Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorney John A. Danaher III is prosecuting the case.

CONTACT:

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