News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2005

Hartford Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Possession of
Firearm by Convicted Felon

June W. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England and Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ISAIAH GRIFFIN, age 32, of 39 Imlay Street, Hartford, Connecticut, waived indictment and pleaded guilty today before Senior United States District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, GRIFFIN admitted that, on July 29, 2005, he knowingly possessed a Colt, Model Cobra, .38 special caliber revolver, with serial number 169447LW, after having been previously convicted of three felony offenses.

It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

The firearm was recovered in GRIFFIN’s apartment during the execution of a search warrant by the Violent Crime Impact Team (VCIT), which is a joint task force dedicated to combating violent crime and firearms violations in the City the Hartford. The VCIT is comprised of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, officers from the Hartford Police Department, Deputy United States Marshals from the United States Marshals Service, Inspectors from the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office, and special agents from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.

Judge Covello has scheduled sentencing for February 24, 2006, at which time GRIFFIN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas V. Daily.

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.