Giovanni Candelario, Gun Possession, Connecticut 2023

Bridgeport Man Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Gun While on Supervised Release

GIOVANNI CANDELARIO, 30, of Bridgeport, was sentenced to 65 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm while on federal supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2015, Candelario was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. In July 2018, Candelario was arrested for criminal firearm possession and other offenses and, in addition to a state sentence, he received 12 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his federal supervised release.

On January 9, 2021, while he was still on supervised release, Candelario was arrested by the Connecticut State Police after a car he was driving on Route 8 in the Bridgeport area exceeded 115 miles per hour. Candelario eventually stopped his car near Exit 26 on Interstate 95, and a search of his person revealed a .357 revolver with an obliterated serial number.

Candelario has been detained since his arrest. On March 2, 2023, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. This matter was investigated by the Connecticut State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.

Candelario’s sentence is a result of his continued disregard for the law and the safety of the community. The sentence of 65 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, is a significant punishment for his actions.

The investigation and prosecution of this case are part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut’s commitment to reducing violent crime in the community. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute individuals who pose a threat to public safety.

Mandatory facts:

• Defendant/respondent: GIOVANNI CANDELARIO
• Criminal charges: Unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon
• City and state: Bridgeport, Connecticut
• Exact date: March 2, 2023 (sentencing)
• Sentence or outcome: 65 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release

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