| U.S. Department of Justice United States Attorney District of Connecticut Connecticut Financial Center 157 Church Street P.O. Box 1824 New Haven, Connecticut 06510 http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/ct/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Project Safe Neighborhoods: HARTFORD MAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR POSSESSION OF A STOLEN FIREARM Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DAMON BESTER, a/k/a "DAMOND BESTER," age 27, of Hartford, Connecticut, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Alfred V. Covello to 10 years' imprisonment for possession of a stolen firearm, to run consecutive to the two year state-imposed sentence for sale of narcotics, and three years' supervised release. In connection with court proceedings BESTER admitted that on March 8, 2002, he possessed a stolen firearm, a Ruger, Model P90DC, .45 caliber, semi-automatic pistol while he was at a nightclub in the north end of Hartford. He was apprehended by a Connecticut Parole Officer and Hartford Police. "We will continue our collaboration with local police departments and state prosecutors to assure that those who illegally possess firearms are punished appropriately," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Connecticut Parole and the Hartford Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas V. Daily. The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, and improving the safety of residents in Connecticut's cities. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. More information on the nationwide Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative can be found at www.psn.gov.
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