U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery | U.S. Department of Justice
A federal grand jury in New Haven has indicted Javon Morse, a 29-year-old from Norwich, on charges related to cocaine distribution and firearm possession. The announcement was made by Vanessa Roberts Avery, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
Court documents reveal that Morse was previously sentenced in December 2017 to 60 months in prison and four years of supervised release for cocaine trafficking. He was released from prison in January 2021.
On October 14, 2024, while still under federal supervision, Morse was arrested by Norwich Police. He faces multiple charges due to alleged possession of nearly a kilogram of cocaine, narcotic pills, items used for processing and packaging narcotics, four handguns, loaded high-capacity magazines, among other items.
Federal law prohibits individuals with felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition that have moved through interstate or foreign commerce.
The indictment returned on December 17, 2024, includes one count of possession with intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine. This charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and could result in up to 40 years imprisonment. Additionally, he is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon which could lead to a maximum sentence of 15 years. Morse may face further penalties if found violating his supervised release conditions.
Morse has been detained since December 12, 2024. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and entered a not guilty plea.
U.S. Attorney Avery emphasized that an indictment is not proof of guilt; it is merely an allegation until proven otherwise beyond reasonable doubt.
The investigation involves the Norwich Police Department, Connecticut State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins is prosecuting the case.
This case forms part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing gun violence and violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. In May 2021, the Justice Department reinforced PSN's strategy focusing on community trust-building and strategic enforcement priorities.
For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods visit www.justice.gov/psn.
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