Norwalk Felon Charged With Illegal Firearm Possession: Feds

NORWALK, CT — A 30-year-old Norwalk man was indicted in federal court in New Haven this month and charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to United States Attorney John Durham.

Tyrome Sawyer, also known as "Tyrone Sawyer" and "Crack," was indicted on July 15, but he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector Tuesday via videoconference and entered a plea of not guilty to the offense.

According to Durham, the indictment alleges that in April of last year, Sawyer "possessed a loaded Hi-Point model 995, 9mm rile with an obliterated serial number, in Norwalk."

At the time, Sawyer had already been convicted in state court of separate felony firearm, drug and escape offenses.

"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," according to Durham.

Sawyer was arrested by Norwalk police in April and has been in state custody ever since.
The charge of possession of firearm by a convicted felon carries a maximum prison term of 10 years.

Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This investigation is being conducted by the Norwalk Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe.

This prosecution has been brought through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.