United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: WATERBURY MAN SENTENCED TO 70 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR TRAFFICKING FIREARMS

Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that EDWIN MEJIAS, 43, formerly of Jersey Street, Waterbury, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Christopher F. Droney in Hartford to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his conviction of one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.  MEJIAS pleaded guilty to the charge on December 11, 2007.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, on June 30 and July 21, 2006, MEJIAS sold a total of eight firearms to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement authorities.  Many of the firearms MEJIAS sold were semi-automatic and/or assault weapons.  One of the firearms previously had been reported as stolen, which was a fact that enhanced MEJIAS’ penalty.

MEJIAS previously has been convicted of first degree robbery in Connecticut state court in 1994.  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.

MEJIAS has been detained since his arrest on September 29, 2006.

This case was investigated by the Waterbury Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives pursuant to the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert M. Spector and Assistant States Attorney Patrick Griffin, who has been designated a Special Assistant United States Attorney.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, and improving the safety of residents of Connecticut’s cities.  Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov