Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, has confirmed the sentencing of Kwitzpatrick Duffany, a 37-year-old formerly from Willimantic, to 108 months in federal prison. The sentencing was carried out by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford. Following his imprisonment, Duffany will serve four years of supervised release for his involvement in a string of offenses stemming from the theft of 38 guns in 2023.
Court records reveal that on May 27, 2023, Duffany illegally entered Hoffman's Gun Store in Newington. He gained access by using a knife to cut through the siding and descended from the ceiling, managing to leave without notice. Surveillance video documented Duffany's movements as he filled duffel bags with firearms before departing the store in a similar manner. Following the burglary, Duffany and two accomplices went to Hartford, where he traded several firearms for money and drugs. The days after the incident saw Duffany selling most of the remaining firearms for cash and narcotics or handing them over to others to sell.
Duffany's arrest took place on June 1, 2023, by the Connecticut State Police in Ashford. Before his arrest, surveillance at a nearby gas station caught Duffany concealing a satchel, which was later found to contain a loaded Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun and drugs. The handgun was notably one of the stolen items from Hoffman's Gun Store.
Law enforcement has thus far recovered only six of the firearms, one of which turned up during a homicide investigation by Hartford Police on July 5, 2024.
In custody since his arrest, Duffany admitted guilt on February 3, 2025, to charges of stealing firearms from a licensee and possessing intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.
The investigation was handled by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with support from the Newington Police Department, Connecticut State Police, and Willimantic Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Dearington prosecuted the case.
Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman acknowledged the cooperation of the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of New Britain in the proceedings.
