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Project Safe Neighborhoods:

HARTFORD FELON SENTENCED TO MORE THAN 15 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR ILLEGAL FIREARM POSSESSION

         Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SEAN CROWE, 31, last residing on Westbourne Parkway, Hartford, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree 186 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and for violating the terms and conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction. CROWE pleaded guilty on March 12, 2008.

         According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, on October 21, 2006, Hartford Police Officers observed a 2006 Hyundai Sonata being driven erratically on Brook Street in Hartford. The vehicle performed a U-turn in the middle of Brook Street, and drove onto the sidewalk, nearly striking several pedestrians. The officers, who were in uniform operating a marked police unit, activated their lights and sirens to signal a traffic stop. The vehicle then made an abrupt stop into the driveway of 162 Brook Street in an apparent attempt to elude the officers. Two males immediately exited the vehicle and, despite repeated verbal commands by police, fled on foot. The operator of the vehicle -- later identified as CROWE – fled north through the yards of Brook Street where he jumped a fence near Pliney Street. Both officers pursued CROWE on foot. As the officers approached CROWE, he removed a silver handgun – later identified as a fully-loaded Smith amp; Wesson, .357 Magnum – from his waist band and pointed the gun at one of the officer’s head and stated, “Get back, get back or I will shoot.” The officers immediately sought cover while assisting officers converged on the area to set up a perimeter. CROWE continued to attempt his escape by climbing various fences and weaving through a number of different properties. He was finally contained at 39 Pliny Street, having been cornered by assisting officers at gunpoint. Despite repeated verbal commands to drop his weapon, CROWE continued to ignore the officers and repeatedly stated, “Go ahead and shoot me, just shoot me.” After further resisting arrest, CROWE was eventually subdued and handcuffed.

         CROWE was previously convicted of sale of narcotics and possession with intent to sell narcotics in Hartford Superior Court, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base in United States District Court. 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.

         CROWE’s possession of a firearm after being convicted of three separate serious drug offenses qualified him for enhanced penalties under the Armed Career Criminal Act. The Armed Career Criminal Act mandates a term of imprisonment of 15 years.

         Today, Judge Burns sentenced CROWE to 15 years of imprisonment for illegally possessing the firearm, and an additional six-month term of imprisonment to run consecutive to the 15-year term for violating the terms and conditions of his federal supervised release that followed his earlier federal conviction and prison term.

         The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hartford Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

         The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun and gang 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.

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