Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JEROME R. THOMAS, 22, of New Haven, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 1, 2014, members of the Yale University Police Department executed an arrest warrant for THOMAS at his girlfriend’s residence.  THOMAS was apprehended after he attempted to flee the premises through a window.  A search of the residence revealed a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, two magazines loaded with .45 caliber ammunition, and a bag containing more than 80 additional rounds of .45 caliber ammunition.

THOMAS was previously convicted in state court of criminal possession of a firearm, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, and carrying a pistol without a permit.  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.

THOMAS has been detained since his arrest.  On February 19, 2014, 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 Yale University Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony E. Kaplan.

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