Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
District of Connecticut
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014
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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment yesterday charging JEROME T. WALKER, 27, of New Haven, with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
As alleged in court documents, on Oct. 14, 2014, officers from the New Haven Police Department conducted a traffic stop of WALKER, who was driving with a suspended license, in the vicinity of Norton Street and Elm Street. After initially pulling over, WALKER accelerated from the scene at high rate of speed. A short time later, New Haven and Hamden Police officers found WALKER’s vehicle parked at a residence on Warner Street in Hamden. Officers then observed WALKER walking in front of the residence and he was placed under arrest. In the vicinity, officers found a duffel bag containing a Smith and Wesson.38 caliber revolver and set of car keys belonging to the vehicle that WALKER had been driving.
Prior to that date, it is alleged that WALKER had sustained multiple felony convictions. 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.
If convicted, WALKER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000. He has been detained since his arrest.
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the New Haven Police Department and the Hamden Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony Kaplan and Jennifer Laraia.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
