Bristol Man Sentenced To More Than 5 Years In Federal Prison For Illegally Possessing Firearms

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WAYNE EVANGELISTA, also known as “Wayne Nance,” 36, of Bristol, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. Judge Warren W. Eginton in Bridgeport to 63 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, prior to March 2011, EVANGELISTA had been convicted of multiple felony offenses in Connecticut state court and federal court in Connecticut, including criminal possession of a firearm (twice), third degree burglary, second degree forgery, bank fraud, and both first and second degree larceny.

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.

In March 2011, EVANGELISTA convinced another individual, who had a valid firearms permit, that he was a Bail Enforcement Agent.  In March and April 2011, EVANGELISTA persuaded the individual to purchase a .40 caliber pistol and a .380 caliber pistol on his behalf, and EVANGELISTA took possession of the firearms after they were purchased.  Also in April 2011, EVANGELISTA possessed a 9mm pistol that he cleaned for the same individual who had purchased the other two firearms for him.

EVANGELISTA has been detained since his arrest on March 15, 2012.  On April 5, 2013, he pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

This matter was investigated by the Connecticut State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Spector.

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U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov