United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: BRIDGEPORT MAN INDICTED ON FEDERAL GUN CHARGE
Felon arrested in Stamford could face mandatory 15-year sentence

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MYSHION CATO, age 25, of 670C Trumbull Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut, has been indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm. A federal grand jury sitting in Bridgeport returned the one-count Indictment yesterday, September 8. On September 1, 2004, CATO was arrested by federal agents in state court in Stamford pursuant to a criminal Complaint charging him with possessing a Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol after previously having been convicted of a felony.

On May 1, 2004, Stamford Police Officers arrested CATO after discovering a firearm underneath his foot during a motor vehicle stop in Stamford. The Stamford State's Attorney's Office prosecuted CATO as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative and, after reviewing CATO's criminal history, requested that the United States Attorney's Office accept this case for federal prosecution. CATO is currently detained.

According to information previously disclosed by the Government in open court, CATO has been convicted in state court in May 1997, March 2000 and December 2000 for various narcotics-related offenses.

If CATO is convicted of this charge, he faces up to ten years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. If the Court also determines that CATO has been convicted of felonies at least three times previously, he faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of at least 15 years pursuant to the federal Armed Career Criminal Act.

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 Stamford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James J. Finnerty.

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