U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery | U.S. Department of Justice
Wesley S. Pearson, a 26-year-old from Hartford, has been sentenced to 34 months in federal prison for unlawfully possessing firearms. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport and includes two years of supervised release following the prison term.
The charges stem from an incident on May 16, 2023, when Bloomfield Police arrested Pearson after a domestic violence incident. Later that day, police obtained a Risk Protection Order from the Connecticut Superior Court and searched the residence where Pearson was staying. They discovered three Glock handguns, two modified to be fully automatic and one with an obliterated serial number; an L.A.R. Mfg. Grizzly15 rifle; a "ghost gun"; multiple firearm magazines; approximately 280 rounds of ammunition; and other firearm accessories.
Investigations revealed that Pearson was involved in directing music videos under the name "The Kid Wes," featuring suspected gang members and themes of violence and drug trafficking. In one video titled "Pray for Me," he raps about possessing modified firearms.
Pearson had previously been convicted of a felony drug offense in state court, making it illegal for him to possess firearms or ammunition under federal law.
He has been detained since his arrest on May 16, 2023, and pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon on June 3, 2024.
The investigation was conducted by the Bloomfield Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Dearington prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. Launched in May 2021 by the Justice Department, PSN focuses on fostering community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.
