New Haven Man, 28, Pleads Guilty On Gun, Drug Charges: Feds

NEW HAVEN, CT —Around six months after his July 2019 release from federal prison, Ronnell Rogers, 28, of New Haven, was arrested on state charges of fentanyl and crack cocaine possession and distribution and for having a loaded Smith & Wesson .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, reported to have been stolen in Virginia, federal prosecutors said.

Rogers pleaded guilty Thursday and faces up to 10 years in prison, according to the Acting U.S. Attorney for Connecticut.

Prosecutors said that after being released from prison after serving around 17 months for unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon, six months later, while he was on federal supervised release, Rogers was arrested in New Haven on the drug and gun charge.

The U.S. Attorney said that in addition to his previous federal conviction, Rogers’ criminal history includes state convictions for firearm, larceny and risk of injury offenses.

He pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. He also faces additional penalties for violating the conditions of his federal supervised release. Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for Dec. 1, 2021. He's been held since his federal arrest on January 28, 2021.

This case has been investigated by the ATF and the New Haven Police Department.

This case is part of Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction effort called Project Safe Neighborhoods.