Stolen Firearm in East Haven, Leads to Guilty Plea by New Haven Man

Paul Burrus, 44, of New Haven, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to one count of possession of a stolen firearm in East Haven, federal officials announced in a press release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 5, 2014, a New Haven Police officer stopped a car in which Burrus was a passenger in the area of West Ivy Street.

As the officer approached the car, he observed Burrus appear to be hiding or moving something under the front passenger seat. After the officer ordered Burrus out of the car, he found a loaded Smith and Wesson M & P .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol under the passenger seat.

The firearm had been reported stolen in East Haven in August 2011. Burrus has admitted that that he purchased the firearm and ammunition for $500, and that he had reason to believe that the firearm had been stolen, according to the release from federal officials.

Burrus is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall on May 12, 2015, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

The matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Haven Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony Kaplan and Jennifer Laraia.