United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: NEW HAVEN MAN INDICTED FOR ILLEGAL GUN POSSESSION, NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that GARRY ADAMS, age 27, of 420 Huntington Street, New Haven, Connecticut, has been charged by indictment with possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, and possession with intent to distribute more than five grams of cocaine base ("crack"). A federal grand jury sitting in Hartford returned the two-count indictment yesterday, July 28.

The Indictment alleges that on June 30, 2004, ADAMS was found to be in possession of a loaded .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol, and more than five grams of crack cocaine. The indictment further alleges that prior to that date, ADAMS had been convicted of multiple felony offenses involving the sale of narcotics. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

If convicted of the charges, ADAMS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life and a maximum combined fine of $2,250,000 on the two counts. In addition, ADAMS may be subject to the Armed Career Criminal Act and the Career Offender Act, which are federal laws imposing severe penalties, respectively, for firearms possession by persons who have previously been convicted of at least three violent felonies or serious drug offenses, and for narcotics trafficking by persons previously convicted of at least two prior serious drug offenses. If it is ADAMS is convicted and it is established that he has three prior drug trafficking convictions as alleged, he could face a minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years.

"This indictment shows that federal government, through the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, is committed to vigorously enforcing gun laws and prosecuting repeat offenders in order to remove dangerous individuals from the streets of New Haven," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated.

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 matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Haven Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Henry K. Kopel.

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