Hartford Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Firearm, Heroin
David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Hartford returned an indictment yesterday charging ALEXANDER GARAY, 36, of Hartford, with one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon and one count of possession of heroin.
The indictment alleges that, on May 22, 2012, GARAY possessed a Taurus 9 millimeter pistol and a quantity of heroin. The indictment further alleges that, prior to that date, GARAY had been convicted of multiple felony offenses, including weapon in a motor vehicle (twice), criminal possession of a firearm, sale of hallucinogens/narcotics, possession of narcotics (twice) and stealing a firearm.
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.
If convicted, GARAY faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on the firearm charge, and a maximum term of imprisonment of one year on the heroin charge.
GARAY has been detained in state custody since his arrest by Hartford Police on May 22, 2012.
U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter was investigated by the Hartford Police Department and ATF. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan S. Freimann and Michelle McConaghy.
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.
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