Hartford Man Sentenced For Drug, Gun Crimes: Feds

HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford man was sentenced to more than three years in prison for gun possession and drug crimes, according to a statement from Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. Gladstone Benjamin Jr., 30, will also serve three years of supervised release.

According to prosecutors, in April 2019, Hartford police made two controlled purchases of marijuana from Benjamin at his Collins Street home.

Investigators conducted a court-authorized search of Gladstone’s home April 23, 2019 and found a loaded Taurus 9mm 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.

Benjamin’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for gun and drug crimes. 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.

Benjamin pleaded guilty Feb. 8 to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and marijuana, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Benjamin, who was released on bond, was arrested by Hartford police Feb. 26 after they found him in a car with two guns. He has been detained since his arrest, and his state charges are pending.