United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: BRIDGEPORT MAN SENTENCED TO MORE THAN THREE YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR ILLEGALLY POSSESSING FIREARM

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARK SLADE, 37, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.  On November 13, 2007, SLADE pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, SLADE was arrested on June 16, 2007, following an investigation into his possession and sale of firearms in Bridgeport.  The investigation revealed that SLADE sold two loaded pistols, a Star brand nine millimeter semi-automatic and a Colt .45 semi-automatic, on October 7 and October 23, 2007, respectively, to another individual in Bridgeport.  Prior to October 2007, SLADE had been convicted in Connecticut Superior Court of multiple felony offenses, including first degree assault, illegal possession of firearms, and possession of narcotics.

It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Bridgeport Police Department, as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force for the Bridgeport area.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James Smart.

Project Safe Neighborhoods is a Department of Justice program aimed at reducing gun violence, deterring illegal possession, sale and trafficking of guns, and improving the safety of residents throughout Connecticut.  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