John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ADRIAN BELLE, also known as “A.B.," 24, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 18, 2018, BELLE was the passenger in a vehicle stopped by New Haven Police officers. When the officers asked BELLE to step out of the vehicle, he reached into the center console, exited the vehicle and then began to flee on foot. Officers observed BELLE throw an object during the pursuit.
Once BELLE was stopped and secured in handcuffs, officers located a Smith and Wesson.380 Caliber firearm with an obliterated serial number in BELLE’s front right jacket pocket. Officers also retrieved a loaded firearm magazine that BELLE had thrown while running.
BELLE’s criminal history includes a conviction in October 2014 for robbery in the first degree, and, in August 2011, convictions on three counts of assault on personnel.
The charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. A sentencing date is not scheduled.
BELLE has been detained since his arrest.
This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, and the New Haven Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter D. Markle and Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.
This case is part of 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.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
