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Press Release

New Haven Man Admits Illegally Possessing Ammunition

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Connecticut

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that RICHARD DAVIS, also known as “Quan Bezel,” 20, of New Haven, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, July 30, before Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to one count of possession of ammunition by a previously convicted felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 10, 2014, DAVIS possessed 15 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition.  Prior to that date, DAVIS had been convicted of multiple felony offenses, including carrying a pistol without a permit, theft of a firearm and sale of a controlled substance.

It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

This prosecution stems from Project Longevity, a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities.  Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence.  A critical component of the Project Longevity strategy is the “call-in,” a face-to-face meeting where Project Longevity partners engage group members and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it.  DAVIS and several associates attended a call-in in November 2012.

DAVIS has been detained since his arrest on February 27, 2014.

Judge Covello scheduled sentencing for October 28, 2014, at which time DAVIS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Haven and West Haven Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney H. Gordon Hall.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Updated March 18, 2015