United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: EAST HARTFORD MAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR ROLE IN FIREARM THEFTS

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BARRINGTON RAYNOR, 37, of Tolland Street, East Hartford, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his involvement in the theft and sale of more than 70 firearms.  On October 15, 2008, RAYNOR pleaded guilty to one count of felon in possession of firearms.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, between June 2006 and January 2008, RAYNOR, while employed as a driver for a trucking company responsible for transporting Smith and Wesson firearms, stole between 72 and 77 firearms from the trucking company’s warehouse.  RAYNOR then sold these firearms to several individuals, including individuals he knew to be drug dealers and/or gang members.

RAYNOR previously was convicted of two felony offenses, sale of a controlled substance and attempted robbery in the first degree.  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.

The 10-year sentence imposed today is the statutory maximum sentence allowed for the crime of felon in possession of firearms.  Judge Chatigny also ordered that RAYNOR pay restitution to Smith and Wesson in the amount of $11,976.58.

RAYNOR has been detained since the date of his guilty plea.

Acting U.S. Attorney Dannehy stated that the investigation is ongoing.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hartford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan S. Freimann.

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