United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: BRIDGEPORT MAN CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL GUN, AMMUNITION POSSESSION

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Bridgeport has returned an Indictment charging WAYNE MYERS, 41, last residing on Central Avenue in Bridgeport, with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a previously convicted felon.

The Indictment alleges that, on or about December 29, 2007, in Bridgeport, MYERS knowingly possessed a Beretta USA Corp, Model 92FS, 9mm pistol, five rounds of Federal 9mm ammunition, and 10 rounds of COR-BON 9mm ammunition, all of which had been manufactured outside of Connecticut.  The Indictment further alleges that MYERS was previously convicted in Connecticut of eight felonies.

It is a violation of federal law for a convicted felon to possess a firearm or ammunition that moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

If convicted of the charges, MYERS faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years, a maximum term of imprisonment of life and a fine of up to $250,000.

MYERS was arrested last week by the United States Marshals Service as a fugitive for failing to appear at a scheduled state court proceeding in March.  Yesterday, MYERS was presented and arraigned on the federal charge before United States Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport and the federal Indictment against him was unsealed.

Acting U.S. Attorney Dannehy stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is entitled to a fair trial at which it is the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Task Force.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Felice Duffy as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, ammunition and body armor, and improving the safety of residents of Connecticut’s cities.  Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov