Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Jose Colon, 37, from Wolcott, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford.
Court documents reveal that on March 13, 2024, Waterbury Police arrested Colon after he discarded a privately made 9mm handgun during a foot pursuit. The firearm was loaded with six rounds of ammunition.
Colon has prior felony convictions in Connecticut for assault and weapon offenses. Federal law prohibits individuals with felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition that have moved across state or national borders.
Judge Oliver has scheduled Colon's sentencing for May 13. Colon could face up to 15 years in prison and has been detained since his arrest.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) along with the Waterbury Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Gresham is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through evidence-based strategies. PSN involves collaboration among various stakeholders to address community-specific violent crime issues and develop comprehensive solutions.