Hartford Felon Sent To Jail On Federal Gun Charge: Feds

HARTFORD, CT — A convicted felon from Hartford was sent to prison for more than two years Wednesday for illegally possessing a loaded handgun, according to federal authorities.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut, said Christopher Gaskin, 47, of of Hartford, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport to 27 months of imprisonment for illegally possessing a loaded handgun.

According to the evidence presented during his trial, on Jan. 1, 2022, Hartford police officers stopped a car Gaskin was operating on Irving Street in Hartford.

Avery said Gaskin was arrested after a search of his person revealed a loaded .380 caliber handgun, a bag containing approximately 5 grams of crack cocaine, and 35 vials of crack.

Gaskin’s criminal history includes several felony convictions, including convictions for assault, robbery, and witness tampering offenses, she said.

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, according to authorities.

On Feb. 28, a jury found Gaskin guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and not guilty of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine.

For the full U.S. Attorney's Office announcement, click on this link.