Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ANTHONY RODRIGUEZ, 29, of Bridgeport, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing firearms.
This matter stems from “Operation Samson," a multi-layered initiative headed by the ATF and the Bridgeport and New Haven Police Departments that targeted violent criminals, illegal firearm possession and firearm trafficking. In the spring of 2014, approximately 40 ATF special agents and personnel from Connecticut and across the country were deployed with New Haven and Bridgeport Police to conduct numerous covert operations.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2014, RODRIGUEZ was serving a three-year term of probation stemming from his 2013 felony conviction for third degree larceny. On May 20, 2014, Connecticut Adult Probation, with the assistance of Bridgeport Police and ATF, visited RODRIGUEZ’s residence and found several assorted rounds of ammunition. In addition, officers found a gun box containing only a receipt for a Smith and Wesson.40 caliber pistol that had been purchased by William Ramos on Jan. 13, 2014 at a gun store in Orange. Officers also found a second empty gun box for a Springfield Armory XD40 pistol.
Also in May 2014, ATF and the New Haven Police Department seized six handguns from a convicted felon who identified William Ramos as his source for firearms. According the convicted felon, in 2013 and 2014, he had received seven different firearms from Ramos, some of which he had already sold to other individuals.
The investigation revealed that, between 2011 and 2014, Ramos had purchased a total of 29 handguns. RODRIGUEZ has admitted that he purchased seven firearms from Ramos, many of which he sold to others.
On November 7, 2014, RODRIGUEZ pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
Ramos has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Spector.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
