DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
District of Connecticut

For Immediate Release

Thursday, August 7, 2014
Deirdre M. Daly
, United States Attorney
Contact: Tom Carson, Public Information Office

Waterbury Man Charged With Illegal Gun Possession

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven returned an indictment today charging CHRISTOPHER BYAN COLEMAN, 25, of Waterbury, with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

As alleged in the complaint that was previously filed in this case, 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, it is alleged that COLEMAN had sustained felony convictions. 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.

If convicted, COLEMAN 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 is being 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.

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

Boston Field Division