Friday, August 31, 2012

Hartford Man Sentenced to 57 Months in Federal Prison for Illegal Ammunition Possession



The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced that Jaquan Leggett, also known as “Tipsy,” 24, of Hartford, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing ammunition.

This matter stems from Operation Northern Strike, a 15-month joint law enforcement investigation targeting members and associates of geographically-based street gangs engaging in criminal activity in Hartford’s Upper Albany and Northeast neighborhoods. The investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on multiple telephones, controlled purchases of narcotics, and physical surveillance. As a result of the investigation, 35 individuals were charged with various federal drug and firearms violations.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Leggett was intercepted multiple times over a wiretap discussing his and other individuals’ possession of firearms. On July 28, 2010, Hartford Police received information that Leggett and a co-defendant were in possession of firearms at 155-157 Adams Street, where they resided. Investigators then stopped a motor vehicle being driven by Leggett in the vicinity of 155-157 Adams Street. Leggett was instructed to exit the vehicle. During a search of Leggett’s person, investigators found a .38 caliber bullet in Leggett’s pants pocket. A subsequent search of 155-157 Adams Street resulted in the seizure of nine firearms and assorted ammunition from the basement.

Prior to July 2010, Leggett had sustained at least two felony convictions. 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.

On September 8, 2011, Leggett pleaded guilty to one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force—which includes representatives of the FBI, Connecticut State Police, and Hartford Police Department—and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Geoffrey M. Stone.

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