Winsted Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm Offenses

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JAMES CAVE, 44, of Winsted, pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to federal firearm offenses.

According to court documents and statement made in court, in 2014 and early 2015, CAVE obtained a Norinco MAK 90, 7.62 x 39 caliber semi-automatic rifle, a Smith & Wesson M&P, .40 caliber handgun, and a Shooters Arms Mfg. M1911GI, .45 caliber handgun, all of which he transported into Connecticut and sold to another individual.

On April 4, 2015, CAVE sold a Smith & Wesson 586, .357 caliber handgun to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement.  Investigators subsequently determined that the handgun had been stolen from a residence in Connecticut.

On April 7, 2015, CAVE met an undercover ATF agent at a location in Torrington and sold him a Webley, model Mark IV .455 caliber revolver in exchange for $700 in cash.  This firearm also had been stolen from a residence in Connecticut.

CAVE sustained a felony conviction in Connecticut state court in October 2003.

CAVE pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, and one count of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license.  When he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer, CAVE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.  A sentencing date has not been scheduled.

CAVE was arrested on a criminal complaint on April 30, 2015, and is released on a $100,000 bond.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Torrington Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel J. Vidoni.