Killingly Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison for Illegal Gun Possession

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that BLAIN S. KOLLBECK, 34, of Killingly, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 4, 2017, law enforcement officers removed a loaded Beretta 9mm Nano handgun and an improvised explosive device from KOLLBECK’s residence.  The handgun had an obliterated serial number, and was repainted orange.  The investigation revealed that Albert Bonner, also of Killingly, was the registered owner of the gun, and that Bonner provided the gun to KOLLBECK.  Bonner knew that KOLLBECK was a convicted felon.

KOLLBECK has prior felony convictions in Connecticut and Florida.

KOLLBECK was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on January 10, 2017.  On December 18, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

KOLLBECK, who is released on bond, was ordered to report to prison on July 10.

On July 31, 2017, Bonner pleaded guilty to one count of providing a firearm to a convicted felon.  On December 22, he was sentenced to eight months of imprisonment.

This matter was investigated by the Connecticut State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.