New Haven Man Admits Possessing Gun and Drugs While on Federal Supervised Release

 Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RONNELL ROGERS, 28, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today via videoconference before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall to narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

In July 2019, Rogers was released from federal prison after serving approximately 17 months for unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon.  On January 17, 2021, while he was on federal supervised release, Rogers was arrested in New Haven on related state charges after officers searched his car and found distribution quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine, and a loaded Smith & Wesson .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol.  The firearm had been reported stolen in Virginia.

In addition to his prior federal conviction, Rogers’ criminal history includes state convictions for firearm, larceny and risk of injury offenses.

Rogers pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  He also faces additional penalties for violating the conditions of his federal supervised release.  Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for December 1, 2021.

Rogers has been detained since his federal arrest on January 28, 2021.

This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Haven Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.