Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Hartford Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Charge


John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that BENICIO VASQUEZ, 32, of Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 19, 2018, Hartford police arrested Vasquez and a subsequent search of his residence revealed a Taurus .357 caliber revolver loaded with six rounds of ammunition.

Vasquez’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for drug and money laundering offenses.

Vasquez has been detained since his arrest.  Judge Bolden scheduled sentencing for June 24, 2019, at which time Vasquez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division provided valuable assistance to the investigation.  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.

No comments: