Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Hartford Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Federal Prison for Illegal Gun Possession
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that LLERALD CARRASQUILLO, 28, of Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in early 2019, law enforcement learned that an individual who was addicted to opioids had traded firearms with Carrasquillo in exchange for fentanyl and heroin. In May and June 2019, investigators made two controlled purchases of fentanyl from Carrasquillo at his Hartford residence. On July 10, 2019, a court-authorized search of the residence revealed a quantity of fentanyl, two 9mm handguns and ammunition. One of the handguns was lawfully registered to Carrasquillo’s wife, but Carrasquillo has admitted that he had received the other handgun from the addicted individual in exchange for fentanyl.
Carrasquillo’s criminal history includes two felony convictions for possession with intent to distribute narcotics. 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 October 29, 2019, Carrasquillo pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Carrasquillo, who is released on a $10,000 bond, is required to report to prison on March 23, 2020.
This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Connecticut State Police and Windsor Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.
This prosecution 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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