United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: BRIDGEPORT MAN CONVICTED OF FEDERAL FIREARMS CHARGE SENTENCED TO 51 MONTHS IN PRISON

Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WAYNE DAVENPORT, age 34, formerly of 1060-1062 Dewey Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Mark R. Kravitz in New Haven to 51 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. On March 24, 2006, a federal jury found DAVENPORT guilty of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. It is a violation of federal law for a convicted felon to possess a firearm and/or ammunition that moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

According to the evidence presented during the trial, on January 1, 2005, DAVENPORT was arrested following a foot pursuit with Bridgeport Police Officers during which DAVENPORT attempted to discard a Smith & Wesson, .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol, loaded with eight live rounds of ammunition. Upon his capture and arrest immediately following the foot pursuit, the arresting officer found an additional .45 caliber live round of ammunition in DAVENPORT’s pants pocket.

Evidence at trial further established that the firearm and ammunition were both manufactured outside of the State of Connecticut.

DAVENPORT was previously convicted in Connecticut for felony charges of sale of a hallucinogen/narcotic on August 22, 2001; possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle on October 30, 1992; and larceny in the third degree on March 2, 1992.

This case was investigated by the Connecticut State Police, the Bridgeport and Fairfield Police Departments and the ATF Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alex Hernandez and Felice M. Duffy.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun violence, deterring illegal possession of guns and ammunition, and improving the safety of residents in Bridgeport and all 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