Man Indicted, Accused Of Newington Gun Store Heist: Feds

NEWINGTON/NEW HAVEN, CT — A federal grand jury this week has indicted a 36-year-old former Willimantic man for a major burglary at a Newington gun store in 2023.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut, and James Ferguson, special agent in charge, ATF Boston Field Division, announced a federal grand jury in New Haven indicted Monday Kwitzpatrick Duffany, 36, formerly of Willimantic, with firearm and drug offenses.

The indictment follows an investigation into the theft of more than 30 firearms from a Newington gun store last year.

As alleged in the indictment, on May 27, 2023, Duffany stole more than 30 firearms from Hoffman’s “Guns for the Good Guys,” a federal firearms licensee located in Newington, authorities said.

Duffany also possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine and used a firearm concerning that offense, according to federal officials.

Officials said Duffany’s criminal history includes two state convictions for third-degree burglary.

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.

Authorities said the indictment charges Duffany with:

• Theft of firearms from a licensee, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

• Unlawful possession of firearms by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.

• Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

• Use of a firearm during and related to a drug trafficking crime, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least five years.

Duffany has been detained since his arrest on unrelated state charges on May 31, 2023.

For the full announcement of the indictment, click on this link.