John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of
Connecticut, announced that CHRISTON MITCHELL, also known as “Blaze,” 29, of
Hartford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in New Haven
federal court to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted
felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court,
in May 2018, law enforcement received information that MITCHELL was attempting
to sell a firearm. On May 9, 2018,
investigators attempted a controlled purchase of a firearm from MITCHELL in
exchange for $450. During the
transaction on Farmington Avenue in Hartford, MITCHELL fled from law
enforcement in a car at a high rate of speed.
The pursuit ended in Wethersfield where MITCHELL was apprehended. At the time of his arrest, MITCHELL possessed
a loaded .40 caliber Hi-Point, Smith and Wesson handgun.
MITCHELL was convicted in state court in 2014 for criminal
possession of a weapon, in 2011 for conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery,
in 2009 for second-degree burglary and second-degree sexual assault, in 2008
for third-degree larceny, and in 2007 for third-degree robbery and carrying a
dangerous weapon.
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.
MITCHELL is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge
Alvin W. Thompson on October 31, 2018, at which time MITCHELL faces a maximum
term of imprisonment of 10 years.
MITCHELL has been detained since his arrest.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Northern
Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police
Department. The case is being prosecuted
by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a
program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities
they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
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