Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Heroin, Firearm Offenses in New London

NEW LONDON, CT - Court officials said Thursday a New London man has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for heroin and firearm offenses. His sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Gabriel Paulino, 28, was arrested on April 6, 2016, after a court-authorized search of his New London apartment revealed a fully-loaded Beretta 9mm handgun, a Beretta “Silver Pigeon” 12-gauge shotgun and 12-gauge shotgun shells. Officers also located 94 individually knotted bags of heroin, items used to process and package drugs for street sale and several cell phones.

The 9mm handgun had been reported stolen, according to a release. (To sign up for New London breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Paulino has been detained since his arrest. He pleaded guilty February 8 to possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, court officials said.

The suspect’s criminal history includes convictions for criminal possession of a firearm, possession with intent to sell, possession of narcotics and violation of a protective order.

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