East Hartford Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Charge

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DIONTE WILSON, 25, of East Hartford, pleaded guilty today to unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the court proceeding before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez occurred via videoconference.

According to court documents and statements made in court, after a review of videos on social media websites identified Wilson as being in possession of several different firearms, members of the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force conducted multiple controlled purchases of marijuana from Wilson.  On August 10, 2020, Wilson was arrested after he displayed a Taurus .380 caliber handgun during a controlled marijuana purchase.  A subsequent search of Wilson’s residence revealed a loaded .380 caliber Taurus gun magazine and approximately 100 rounds of .22 caliber long rifle hollow point bullets.

Wilson’s criminal history includes state convictions for narcotics and firearm 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.

Wilson has been detained since his federal arrest on September 9, 2020.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on April 14, 2021, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.

This prosecution has been brought through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.