New Haven Man Sentenced to Years in Federal Prison for Selling Stolen Firearms

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KHALID AZIZ, also known as "Corey Williams, Sr.," "Cory Williams," "Avery Smith," "Gregory Richardson," "Andre Gorham," and "Big Corey," 43, of New Haven, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for selling stolen firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, AZIZ’s son, Corey Williams, Jr., told AZIZ that he had stolen multiple firearms from a Meriden gun store and was having trouble selling some of the "big guns." AZIZ put Williams in touch with Airess Johnson, who knew someone interested in purchasing firearms. The potential purchaser was an individual cooperating with law enforcement, and that cooperator negotiated a purchase price for three firearms with Williams.

At approximately 8:30 p.m. on February 2, 2012, AZIZ, Williams and Johnson drove to the parking lot of a New Haven restaurant. After AZIZ and Williams exited the vehicle and waited in front of a nearby store, the cooperator purchased two 12 gauge shotguns and a .308 caliber semi–automatic rifle from Johnson in exchange for $1,200. After the transaction, AZIZ, Williams and Johnson departed together. Williams then paid AZIZ approximately $50 for his role in facilitating the sale of the three firearms.

Law enforcement officers later recovered the three firearms from the cooperator’s vehicle. All three had been reported stolen from a federal firearms licensee in Meriden on November 5, 2011. Six additional firearms that were stolen at the same time remain unaccounted for.

AZIZ’s criminal history includes at least 19 felony convictions.

On October 22, 2012, AZIZ pleaded guilty to one count of sale of stolen firearms.

Williams, 24, of Meriden, pleaded guilty to the same charge on November 2, 2012. He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 15.

Johnson, 35, of New Haven, pleaded guilty on July 3, 2012, to one count of possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon. On January 3, 2013, she was sentenced to 20 months of imprisonment.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with substantial assistance provided by the New Haven Police Department and the Meriden Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Marc H. Silverman.