Timothy Staton, Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm, CT 2024

HARTFORD, CT – Another Bridgeport street thug is off the streets after receiving a stiff federal sentence for illegally possessing a loaded handgun. TIMOTHY STATON, 24, was sentenced today to 37 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

The case stems from a September 13, 2018 incident where Staton attempted to evade Bridgeport Police near his residence. As officers gave chase, Staton ditched a loaded Glock 43 9mm handgun, tossing it to the ground in a desperate bid to escape capture. He failed. The firearm was recovered, and Staton was taken into custody.

This wasn’t Staton’s first dance with the law. Court records reveal a troubling pattern of criminal behavior. Back in 2010, he was convicted of felony robbery in state court. Four years later, in 2014, he racked up convictions for narcotics offenses, additional firearm charges, and racketeering – a clear indication he was involved in more than just petty crime.

Federal law is clear: a prior felony conviction disqualifies an individual from legally possessing firearms or ammunition that has crossed state lines. Staton’s history made him ineligible, and his attempt to run from police with a loaded weapon sealed his fate. He has been held in custody since his initial arrest, awaiting the outcome of the case.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Bridgeport Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis skillfully prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and subsequent sentence.

This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive program designed to unite federal, state, and local law enforcement with community partners to combat violent crime. The goal? To make neighborhoods safer, one arrest – and one sentence – at a time. Staton’s case serves as a warning: illegally possessing a firearm will land you in federal prison.