Norwich Man Who Sold Firearms and Narcotics Sentenced To Five Years In Federal Prison

MAY 26 -- Steven W. Derr, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England and Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MICHAEL MORSE, 28, of Norwich, was sentenced on Friday, May 22, by United States District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for illegally selling firearms and crack cocaine. On January 17, 2008, MORSE pleaded guilty to one count of possessing with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”), and one count of dealing in firearms without a license.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, between January 12, 2007 and March 21, 2006, MORSE, who did not have a license to deal in firearms, sold firearms to a confidential informant, including a Colt Model Cobra, .38 caliber revolver; a Norinco, Model MAK 90, 7.62 x 39 caliber rifle; an FN Commercial HP, 9mm. pistol; a Smith and Wesson Model 36, .38 caliber revolver; and a Raven Arms, Model P-25, .25 caliber pistol.

On January 24, 2007, MORSE also sold more than 14 grams of crack cocaine to the confidential informant.

This matter was 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.