Crime & Safety

Norwich Man Sentenced For Drug, Gun Crimes: Feds

A Norwich man will serve time in prison after prosecutors say he was found with loaded a gun and 600 bags of fentanyl.

NORWICH, CT — A Norwich man has been sentenced to 5 years in prison on gun and drug charges, according to a statement from federal prosecutors. James Baker, 37, was charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

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 of the vehicle, and more than 600 bags of fentanyl on his person.

Baker’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for assault, burglary, and gun and drug crimes. It is a federal crime for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a gun or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce, prosecutors said.

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Baker pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in June. He will also serve 4 years of supervised release.

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