Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that STEPHEN GOINS, 35, last residing in Waterbury, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 26, 2014, law enforcement received information that GOINS, a convicted felon, was operating a vehicle that had a firearm in the glove compartment. A Bridgeport police officer stopped the vehicle after it exited I-95 in Bridgeport. GOINS was arrested after a search of the glove compartment revealed a loaded Ruger LCR Revolver, .38 caliber Special.
GOINS’ criminal history includes felony convictions for robbery, larceny and marijuana trafficking offenses. 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.
The charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. A sentencing date is not scheduled.
GOINS has been detained since his arrest.
This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Bridgeport Police Department, New Britain Police Department, and Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.