DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
District of Connecticut

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Deirdre M. Daly
, United States Attorney
Contact: Tom Carson

Waterbury Felon Admits Illegal Gun Possession

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that CHRISTOPHER BRYAN COLEMAN, 25, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 22, 2014, officers from the Waterbury Police Department responded to a complaint of a disturbance at 1298 N. Main Street in Waterbury.  There, the complainant told police that her car had broken down and, while she was awaiting assistance, a male had attempted to gain entry to her vehicle.  As one of the officers drove up to the male, who was later identified as COLEMAN, the officer observed COLEMAN remove a firearm from his waist area and throw it over a chain link fence.  Officers then recovered an RG14 .22 caliber revolver with an obliterated serial number, loaded with six rounds, three of which were live and three of which were expended.

Prior to that date, COLEMAN had sustained felony convictions, including sale of a controlled substance, escape in the first degree, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

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.

COLEMAN is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton on December 22, 2014, at with time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000 in fines.  He has been detained since his arrest on April 22.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Waterbury Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony E. Kaplan.

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Boston Field Division