Hartford Man Pleads Guilty To Drug, Weapons Charges

HARTFORD, CT —Gladstone Benjamin Jr., of Hartford, pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal drug and weapons charges before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley, federal officials said. Sentencing is scheduled for May 3.

Benjamin, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and marijuana, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.

According to court documents, charges stem from a court-authorized search investigators conducted of Benjamin's Collins Street residence on April 23, 2019. Found during the search were: a loaded Taurus 9 mm handgun with an extended clip, two loaded Taurus .45 caliber handguns, a loaded semiautomatic handgun that did not contain a make, model or serial number stamp, a Remington Arms 12-gauge shotgun with an unreadable serial number, more than 1,000 rounds of loose and boxed ammunition and distribution quantities of heroin and marijuana.

Prior to the search, Police had made two controlled purchases of marijuana from Benjamin at his home.

Authorities noted that it is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce. Benjamin's criminal history includes state felony convictions for firearm and drug offenses.

Benjamin currently is released on $75,000 bond pending sentencing.