Allen Lusmat, Handgun Possession, Connecticut 2019

Felony offender Allen Lusmat, 30, of Bridgeport, has been slapped with a 37-month prison sentence for illegally possessing a handgun in New Haven. Lusmat’s crime took place on April 10, 2019, when he retrieved a Smith & Wesson .357 caliber revolver from a convenience store in New Haven.

Lusmat’s accomplice, Tyrell Cox-Henderson, had initially placed the firearm behind some merchandise on a store shelf. Approximately one hour later, Lusmat entered the store and retrieved the gun. Hours after the incident, New Haven police officers stopped a car in which Lusmat was a passenger. As officers approached the vehicle, Lusmat threw a black plastic bag out of the window. A search of the bag revealed the firearm that Lusmat had retrieved from the store.

Lusmat was arrested at the scene. Prior to the April 2019 incident, Lusmat had been convicted in state court of various offenses, including firearm, assault, and burglary charges. It is a federal law violation for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Lusmat has been detained since his arrest. On November 18, 2020, he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon. His accomplice, Tyrell Cox-Henderson, also pleaded guilty to the same charge on September 14, 2020, and awaits sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the New Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.

The matter is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a violent crime reduction program that focuses on identifying and addressing the most pressing violent crime problems in communities. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to develop comprehensive solutions to address violent crime.

According to authorities, PSN has proven to be effective in reducing violent crime. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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