Illegal Firearm Possession Draws Prison Sentence for Convicted Felon: U.S. Attorney

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Waterbury resident Stephen Goins, a 36-year-old convicted felon, was sentenced to 37 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm, announced United States Attorney Deirdre M. Daly Wednesday.

Goins was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport. According to court documents and statements, on June 26, 2014, law enforcement received information that Goins "was operating a vehicle that had a firearm in the glove compartment." A Bridgeport police officer stopped the vehicle after it exited I-95 in Bridgeport, and Goins was arrested after a search of the glove compartment.

The search revealed a loaded Ruger LCR Revolver, .38 caliber Special.

"Goins' criminal history includes felony convictions for robbery, larceny and marijuana trafficking offenses," according to Daly. "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."

Goins has been detained since his arrest, and in May he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Bridgeport Police Department, New Britain Police Department, and Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Task Force.

The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.

Image via Shutterstock