Project Safe Neighborhoods: Bristol Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm Charge

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MICHAEL O’BRIEN, 29, formerly of Armand Road, Bristol, pleaded guilty yesterday, June 17, before United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a previously convicted felon.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, on or about September 15, 2008, in Trumbull, O’BRIEN knowingly possessed a Hi Point 9 millimeter semi-automatic pistol and eight rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition. On that date, O’BRIEN attempted to enter a residence and intended to use the gun and ammunition to commit a felony.

Prior to September 15, 2008, O’BRIEN had been convicted of felony offenses.  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.

Judge Underhill has scheduled sentencing for September 4, 2009, at which time O’BRIEN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to 250,000.

O’BRIEN currently is incarcerated in state custody.

This case was investigated by the Trumbull Police Department and FBI Safe Streets Task Force and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Felice Duffy as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, ammunition and body armor, and improving the safety of residents in Bridgeport and all of Connecticut’s cities.  Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

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