Bridgeport Man, 29, Sentenced in Federal Firearms Case

BRIDGEPORT, CT - Anthony Rodriguez, 29, of Bridgeport, was sentenced to 37 months in prison - followed by three years of supervised release - in connection with a federal illegal firearms case, according to United States Attorney Deirdre M. Daly.

Rodriguez was accused of buying seven handguns, and later selling some of them, that he had obtained from William Ramos, who federal authorities said was trafficking in illegal guns. Ramos has pleaded guilty separately and is awaiting sentencing.

"This matter stems from 'Operation Samson,' a multi-layered initiative headed by the ATF and the Bridgeport and New Haven Police Departments that targeted violent criminals, illegal firearm possession and firearm trafficking," said Daly in a statement. "In the spring of 2014, approximately 40 ATF special agents and personnel from Connecticut and across the country were deployed with New Haven and Bridgeport Police to conduct numerous covert operations."

One of those operations led the feds to Rodriguez in the spring of 2014, who was serving three years of probation stemming from his 2013 felony conviction for third degree larceny. Authorities raided Rodriguez's home in May, 2014, and found several assorted rounds of ammunition. In addition, officers found a gun box containing only a receipt for a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber pistol that had been purchased by William Ramos on January 13, 2014, at a gun store in Orange. Officers also found a second empty gun box for a Springfield Armory XD40 pistol.

Also in May 2014, ATF and the New Haven Police Department seized six handguns from a convicted felon who identified Ramos as his source for firearms, according to Daly. The convicted felon told authorities that in 2013 and 2014, he had received seven different firearms from Ramos, some of which he had already sold to other individuals.

"The investigation revealed that, between 2011 and 2014, Ramos had purchased a total of 29 handguns," said Daly in a statement. "Rodriguez has admitted that he purchased seven firearms from Ramos, many of which he sold to others."

in November 2014, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Spector.

Patch file photo.