United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

WATERFORD MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL GUN CHARGE

Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CALVIN SEBASTIAN, also known as “CJ,” 36, of Waterford, Connecticut, pleaded guilty today before Senior United States District Judge Peter C. Dorsey in New Haven to one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, in March 2006, an individual who SEBASTIAN knew to be a convicted felon contacted SEBASTIAN and indicated that he was having trouble with some people and he needed a gun.  SEBASTIAN then assisted the individual in obtaining a .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol that formerly was in SEBASTIAN’s possession.

Judge Dorsey has scheduled sentencing for February 15, 2008, at which time SEBASTIAN could face a maximum term of imprisonment of life and a fine of up to $250,000.

This prosecution is part of an ongoing federal, state and local law enforcement effort to quell violence fueled by the drug trade in southeastern Connecticut.  On December 1, 2005, Deshawn Stewart was killed in a hit and run in retaliation for a gunpoint robbery of two individuals in New London in which he took part. Following Stewart’s death, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives intensified its relationship with the New London and Norwich Police Departments in order to investigate narcotics and firearms trafficking in the area, and target habitual offenders and individuals with violent histories for federal prosecution.  To date, more than 30 individuals have been charged with federal crimes as a result of this joint investigative effort.  Several additional individuals have been prosecuted by the New London States Attorney’s Office.  The effort, which has expanded to include several additional police departments and the Connecticut State Police, also has removed more than two dozen illegal firearms from the streets.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the Norwich Police Department, the New London Police Department, the City of Groton Police Department, the Town of Groton Police Department, the Waterford Police Department, the Stonington Police Department, the Willimantic Police Department and the Connecticut State Police.

These cases are being prosecuted by Deputy United States Attorney John H. Durham and Assistant United States Attorney Anthony E. Kaplan, and Assistant State’s Attorneys Paul Narducci and Michael Kennedy of the New London State’s Attorney’s Office, who have been cross-designated as Special Assistant United States Attorneys in this matter.

CONTACT:

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