Manchester Man Facing 30 Years on Gun, Drug Charges

MANCHESTER, CT — A man whose last known address was in Manchester is heading to court in the fall to face up to 30 years in prison in a federal gun and drug case.

John H. Durham, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, said that Rufus Howell, 40, entered guilty pleas on Friday before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to gun possession and heroin distribution offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 21, 2017, Howell was arrested after a search of the car he was operating in Hartford’s North End contained a loaded Hi-Point 9mm pistol, approximately 14 grams of combined heroin and fentanyl, approximately 40 grams of cocaine, and a quantity of marijuana.

Howell’s criminal history includes multiple state felony convictions, and a federal felony narcotics conviction in 2005.

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, Durham said.

Howell pleaded guilty to one count possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, an offense that carries a maximum prison term of 10 years, and one count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute, an offenses that carries a maximum prison term of 20 years.

Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for Nov. 16.

Howell has been detained since his arrest.

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