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FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND HARTFORD POLICE MEET TO DISCUSS VCIT INITIATIVE

         Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Michael J. Sullivan, Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Hartford Police Chief Daryl K. Roberts met in Hartford today to discuss the progress of Hartford’s Violent Crime Impact Team (VCIT) initiative, which has been operating for approximately two years.

         The ATF is the lead federal law enforcement agency in the VCIT initiative, which uses innovative technology, analytical investigative resources and an integrated federal, state and local law enforcement strategy to identify, disrupt, arrest and prosecute the most violent criminals. Hartford is one of 25 cities in the United States that has been provided VCIT resources. The VCIT concept was modeled after Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) successes with additional ATF resources redirected from across the U.S. to target specific areas that had an unacceptable level of violent crime, particularly gun-related homicides, as compared to the national average. VCIT’s primary goal is to reduce the number of homicides and other violent crimes committed with firearms. The prosecution and incarceration of those responsible will then have a lasting effect in making that community safer.

         In Hartford, the VCIT currently consists of an ATF Resident Agent in Charge, four ATF Special Agents, one DEA Special Agent, one Deputy U.S. Marshal, three Hartford Police Detectives, and a Hartford Police Detective Sergeant. Each of the four ATF Special Agents and their Hartford Task Force Officer partners have been assigned to one of four Hartford neighborhoods: Northeast, Upper Albany, Clay Arsenal and Frog Hollow.

         The Hartford VCIT began operating in the spring of 2005. In 2005, Hartford had 159 firearms arrests and 349 firearms recovered. In 2006, Hartford had 201 firearms arrests and 500 firearms recovered (88 of these firearms were from one case, United States vs. David Muska, et al). Statistics through May 14, 2007 reveal that the number of firearms arrests in 2007 are slightly ahead of 2006, and the number of firearms recovered trail 2006 numbers, but exceed 2005 numbers.

         Comparing the first quarter of 2007 with the first quarter of 2006, Hartford saw sharp declines in the numbers of murders, shooting incidents and shooting victims.

         “Because ATF’s mission is so unique, we can offer our expertise and assistance to place an emphasis on ending the violence that erodes the quality of life in our neighborhoods,” said ATF Acting Director Michael J. Sullivan.

         The Hartford VCIT responds to all firearm recoveries by the Hartford Police Department, conducting interviews to identify the sources of the firearms recovered and debriefing the possessor regarding violent firearms-related criminal activity in the City of Hartford. ATF and HPD also conduct comprehensive firearms tracing of 100 percent of the crime guns recovered in Hartford. In coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the VCIT also supports the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative by helping to identify individuals with a high propensity for firearms violence and gang activity, and present those individuals found in violation of federal law for federal prosecution.

         “In the two years that VCIT has been in place in Hartford, it’s clear that these Department of Justice law enforcement resources are benefitting the residents of Hartford by helping to stem the proliferation of illegal guns,” U.S. Attorney O’Connor stated. “We are committed to assisting Hartford Police in the vigorous investigation and prosecution of firearms violations in order to remove dangerous individuals, repeat offenders and gun traffickers from the community.”

         The Hartford VCIT also works with community leaders to cultivate the commitment between the residents of the community and law enforcement authorities to ensure positive results. VCIT members work with an active and committed Weed and Seed program that is aimed at reducing violent crime in the Upper Albany/Clay Arsenal Neighborhoods of Hartford. VCIT members also work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Connecticut State Probation and Parole Department at monthly “offender meetings” where recently released parolees and probationers are brought into a meeting with law enforcement officers, prosecutors, social workers in order to discourage firearms, gang and narcotics activity. During these meetings, representatives from the ATF and U.S. Attorney’s Office discuss the consequences of violating federal firearms laws.

         VCIT takes a six-point approach to reducing violent crime:

• Use technology and human intelligence to identify geographic areas within cities where violent firearms crime.
• Identify the “worst of the worst” violent offenders, the criminal organizations that support them and armed career criminals, or individuals with extensive criminal histories.
• Use criminal investigations and investigative tools and resources to disrupt and dismantle criminal activity being perpetrated by the identified individuals and organizations.
• Arrest and prosecute the individuals and their associates in the federal or state jurisdiction that lends itself to the maximum penalty.
• Work with community leaders to cultivate solid and sustained commitment between the community’s residents and law enforcement.
• Evaluate results on a regular basis to assess VCIT progress toward achieving the initiative’s goals.
  

ATF Resources include the Violent Crime Analysis Branch, National Tracing Center, National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN), Regional Crime Gun Centers, National Library Centers, Firearms Technology Branch, Explosives detection canines, Field Intelligence Groups, and Headquarters Field Intelligence Support Branch.

Hartford VCIT Success Stories

U.S. vs. Muska, at al:
         From March 2005 until March 2006, David Muska, an East Windsor chiropractor, and his wife, Cheryl, exchanged approximately 25 guns in their collection for heroin and cocaine. Several of these guns have been seized by Hartford Police during unrelated criminal investigations. In April, David Muska was sentenced to 101 months of imprisonment, and Cheryl Muska was sentenced to 21 months of imprisonment. The Muskas also forfeited 88 guns, several thousand rounds of ammunition and other gun parts that they owned and have been seized at the time of David Muska’s arrest on February 3, 2006. They have also forfeited to the Government two vehicles that they used to facilitate their crimes. Five other defendants have pleaded guilty to charges related to this scheme.

U.S. vs. Arsenault:
         Matthew Arsenault of West Hartford was arrested on July 24, 2006, by members of Hartford’s VCIT and the Connecticut State Police shortly after he purchased a Sturm Ruger, Model SP101, .357 revolver from Hoffman’s Gun Center in Newington. At the time, Arsenault was addicted to heroin and crack cocaine, and he was purchasing the firearm for Anthony Colon of Hartford. Colon had given ARSENAULT the money to purchase the gun and was waiting outside Hoffman’s during the purchase. Colon, a convicted felon who could not legally purchase or possess a firearm himself, had provided Arsenault with $20 worth of crack cocaine as payment for purchasing the gun. The investigation revealed that, from March 2006 through July 24, 2006, Arsenault purchased and then transferred at least eight firearms to persons who compensated him with money and/or drugs. On May 15, 2007, Arsenault pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement in the course of purchasing a firearm. He faces a sentencing guidelines range of 30 to 37 months of imprisonment when he is sentenced. Colon pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon and, on March 15, 2007, he was sentenced to 92 months of imprisonment.

U.S. vs. Reid:
         On January 25, 2006, Reid was arrested after he was found in possession of approximately 24 grams of crack cocaine and a Davis Industries .380 caliber, semiautomatic pistol. At the time, Reid was out on bond after an arrest for his involvement in a shooting incident. The case was adopted for federal prosecution. Reid pleaded guilty to federal drug and firearms charges and, on February 8, 2007, he was sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment.

U.S. vs. Freeman:
         Matthew Freeman had no prior record, but, in need of cash, he illegally sold five of his guns, including one to a drug dealer and convicted felon who was involved in a dispute. Freeman also removed serial numbers of some of the firearms he sold so they could not be traced back to him. On September 7, 2006, Freeman was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment. Freeman also forfeited several additional firearms.

U.S. vs. Tisdol
         William “Bub” Tisdol had a lengthy criminal history that included multiple firearms convictions. Hartford’s VCIT commenced an investigation and Tisdol was charged eventually charged with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. A federal jury acquitted Tisdol of the gun charge, but found him guilty of the narcotics charge. On January 25, 2007, Tisdol was sentenced to 140 months of imprisonment.

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