United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: NEW HAVEN MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ILLEGAL GUN POSSESSION

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARQUETTE TOWNS, age 20, of 559 Sherman Parkway, New Haven, Connecticut, has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill accepted TOWNS' plea of guilty on July 9, 2004, in Bridgeport federal court.

TOWNS was arrested by the New Haven Police Department on February 10, 2004, on the grounds of Hillhouse High School for, among other violations, possessing a a Kel-Tec P 40 firearm. On April 22, 2004, TOWNS was charged with the firearm possession offense in a one-count indictment by a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven. The Indictment alleged that TOWNS had been previously convicted of assault in the third degree.

It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm that moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

When he is sentenced on September 27, 2004, TOWNS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years.

This matter was investigated by the New Haven Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael S. McGarry.

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 other Connecticut 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