United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: NEW HAVEN JURY CONVICTS HARTFORD FELON

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced today that KEITH JOHNSON, age 39, of Hartford, Connecticut, was convicted by a federal jury in New Haven of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. The trial began July 7, and the jury returned its verdict on Friday, July 9, after approximately 45 minutes of deliberation. The evidence established that on October 15, 2002, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Hartford police were flagged down by a citizen in the area of Judson and Barbour Streets. The citizen reported that a masked gunman had robbed four individuals who had been outdoors. The robber fled down Judson Street and into a waiting car on Martin Street. Police immediately followed the car. The car pulled over, and JOHNSON was one of three individuals present. JOHNSON was wearing clothes that matched the description of the robber when the facts of the robbery were phoned into the 911 operator and matched the description provided by the victims. When JOHNSON was removed from the car, police found a gun under the seat. The gun matched the description of the gun used in the robbery.

Prior to his arrest on October 15, 2002, JOHNSON had been convicted of three felony offenses. 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. If United States District Judge Ellen B. Burns determines that JOHNSON has been convicted of at least three prior felonies, JOHNSON may qualify as an Armed Career Criminal and, under federal law, may face a 15-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment and a maximum term of as much as life imprisonment. JOHNSON is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Burns on August 27, 2004.

"We are pleased with the jury's verdict, which would not have been possible without the excellent cooperation between federal and local law enforcement that permitted the successful investigation and prosecution of this case," United States Attorney O'Connor stated. "This is another example of the strong and continued partnership among many law enforcement agencies as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort in Hartford."

The case was investigated by Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and officers of the Hartford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Anastasia Enos.

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