Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment yesterday charging LORENZO CARTER, 20, of Bridgeport, with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The indictment alleges that, on April 8, 2015, CARTER possessed a .22 caliber handgun.

Prior to April 2015, it is alleged that CARTER had sustained felony convictions for carrying a pistol without a permit and illegally receiving a pistol. 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.

If convicted, CARTER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

CARTER has been detained in state custody since his arrest on April 8, 2015.

U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Laraia.