Gun-for-Drugs Dealer Liff Gets 18 Months

HARTFORD, CT – Scott Liff, a 47-year-old man from East Williston, New York, is headed to federal prison after admitting to a brazen scheme: trading guns for crack cocaine. Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello sentenced Liff to 18 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release today, bringing a close to a case that exposed a dangerous link between firearms and the drug trade.

The unraveling began in November 2012, when New Haven Police snagged an individual packing a weapon. The suspect quickly pointed fingers, claiming he’d bought the firearm on the streets of Bridgeport. A check of the registration revealed a chilling truth: the gun belonged to Scott Liff. The pattern repeated itself on December 24, 2013, when Norwalk Police arrested a suspect in a shooting, and that gun was also traced back to Liff.

When confronted by law enforcement, Liff initially lied, claiming the firearms had been stolen and never reported. But investigators dug deeper, uncovering a disturbing reality. Liff was battling a crack cocaine addiction, and the guns weren’t victims of theft—they were currency. He confessed to selling as many as ten firearms, including a high-powered assault rifle, to drug dealers throughout Bridgeport and beyond, all in exchange for his fix.

“This case highlights the serious consequences of allowing firearms to fall into the wrong hands, particularly when fueled by addiction,” stated Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. The investigation, a joint effort by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Norwalk Police Department, and the New Haven Police Department, revealed a clear pattern of Liff prioritizing his addiction over public safety.

On July 27, 2015, Liff pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance – a charge that carried significant weight given the circumstances. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa Richards skillfully prosecuted the case, laying out the evidence that ultimately led to Liff’s conviction and sentencing.

The 18-month sentence sends a clear message: those who exploit the legal firearms market to feed their addictions and arm criminals will face the full weight of federal law. While Liff’s addiction played a role in his actions, the court made it clear that it doesn’t excuse the dangerous consequences of his choices. The streets of Connecticut are a little safer with this gun-peddling addict behind bars.