FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2005

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Tom Carson
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FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS BRIDGEPORT MAN OF ILLEGAL GUN POSSESSION
Felon arrested by Stamford PD; faces substantial prison term

Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury sitting in New Haven has convicted MYSHION CATO, age 26, of 158 Douglas Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut, of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The trial began on Thursday, January 27, and the jury returned its verdict yesterday afternoon after approximately two hours of deliberation.

According to evidence presented at trial, the charge against CATO arose from his arrest in Stamford by the Stamford Police Department on May 1, 2004. On that date, CATO was a passenger in a car driven by one of his friends. When Stamford police officers stopped the car for an equipment violation, they noticed that CATO had under his foot a nine-millimeter semiautomatic handgun. Further investigation revealed the gun was fully loaded and the safety was off.

According to the Indictment, CATO had previously been convicted of four felony offenses, including possession with intent to sell narcotics (twice) and sale of narcotics (twice). It is a violation of federal law for a person who has previously been convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm that has been transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns has scheduled sentencing for April 21, 2005. CATO may be sentenced under the Armed Career Criminal Act, a federal law that prescribes severe penalties for firearms offenses committed by persons with three or more felony convictions for violent crimes or serious drug offenses. Under this law, CATO faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years of imprisonment, a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, and a maximum fine in the amount of $250,000.

“This case and this favorable verdict show that the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative has, once again, successfully removed a repeat offender from the community,” U.S. Attorney O’Connor stated. “Felons who choose to possess firearms should prepare themselves for a substantial amount of federal prison time.”

This case was investigated by the Stamford Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Edward Chang and John Marrella.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, and improving the safety of residents in Connecticut’s cities. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. More information on the nationwide Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative can be found at www.psn.gov <http://www.psn.gov>.