Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging TYROME SAWYER, also known as “Tyrone Sawyer” and “Crack,” 30, of Norwalk, with one unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The indictment was returned on July 15, 2020.  Sawyer appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector via videoconference and entered a plea of not guilty to the offense.

The indictment alleges that, on April 19, 2019, Sawyer possessed a loaded Hi-Point model 995, 9mm rile with an obliterated serial number, in Norwalk.  Prior to that date, Sawyer was convicted in state court of felony firearm, drug and escape offenses.

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.

Sawyer has been detained in state custody since his arrest by Norwalk Police on April 19, 2019. 

The charge of possession of firearm by a convicted felon carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This investigation is being conducted by the Norwalk Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe.

This prosecution has been brought through 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.