Norwich Man Pleads Guilty To Gun Charges: Feds

NORWICH, CT — A Norwich man pleaded guilty Monday to a charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, according to a statement from prosecutors. James Baker, 36, has a criminal history that includes state felony convictions for assault, burglary, weapon, and drug crimes.

Anyone previously convicted of a felony is barred from possessing a gun or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

According to prosecutors, Norwich police stopped Baker on Feb. 3, 2021, for a motor vehicle violation and found a loaded, .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol under the driver's seat and more than 600 bags of fentanyl on his person.

Baker is scheduled for sentencing Sept. 27 and faces from five years up to life in prison.