John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that CLETUS JONES, 39, of Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 23, 2018, Hartford Police officers responded to a two-car motor vehicle accident near Elizabeth Park. At the scene, officers learned that Jones had gone into the park and placed something near a tree. A search of the area uncovered a loaded Taurus .38 semi-automatic handgun. Subsequently, Jones’ DNA profile was found on the gun.

Jones’ criminal history includes felony convictions for possession of narcotics, failure to appear in the first degree, robbery in the first degree and carjacking.

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.

When he is sentenced, Jones faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  A sentencing date has not been scheduled. 

Jones has been detained since his arrest on August 8, 2018.

 This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hartford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson and Law Student Intern Owen R. Eagan.

This prosecution has been brought though Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.