Hartford Man Who Flashed Gun On Livestream Pleads Guilty: Feds

HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford man who was showing off a gun on Facebook Live pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court this week to a federal firearm charge.

Marc H. Silverman, acting U.S. Attorney for Connecticut, said Wednesday that Jason Barber, 40, of Hartford, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Hartford federal court to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 2, 2022, law enforcement received information Barber, while seated in a vehicle, was streaming on Facebook Live and showing off a loaded pistol magazine.

Officers located the vehicle, which was parked on Barbour Street, and then followed Barber into a package store, federal officials said.

Silverman said officers approached Barber and retrieved from his coat pocket a Kahr Arms P45 handgun containing a magazine with five rounds of .45 caliber ammunition.

Barber’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for firearm, robbery, drug, and escape offenses, according to Silverman.

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.

At his sentencing, which is not scheduled, Barber faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years. He is released on a $100,000 bond.

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