Hartford Man Guilty Of Federal Gun Charge: Authorities

HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford man has been found guilty on a federal gun charge following a Bridgeport jury's ruling Wednesday, according to authorities.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. attorney for Connecticut, James Ferguson, special agent in charge, ATF Boston Field Division, and Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody said a federal jury in Bridgeport has found Christopher Gaskin, 47, of Hartford, guilty of a firearm possession offense.

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

Officials 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, authorities 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.

The trial began Feb. 26 and the jury Wednesday found Gaskin guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and not guilty of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine.

He will be sentenced on May 22, at which time Gaskin faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Gaskin is being detained pending sentencing.

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