Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DANIEL FRANCOIS, also known as “Bear,” 30, of Norwich, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 65 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 20, 2019, Francois was arrested after he provided quantities of crack cocaine and marijuana to an undercover ATF special agent in exchange for two Davis model P-380 .380 caliber pistols.  A subsequent search of Francois’ person and vehicle also revealed approximately 20 grams of heroin.

Francois’ criminal history includes state felony convictions for robbery and drug 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.

Francois has been detained since his arrest.  On December 2, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Ledyard and Norwich Police Departments, with the assistance of Connecticut State Parole.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan.

This prosecution has been brought though 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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