NEW HAVEN, CT – Teejay Johnson, 38, of New Haven, is headed to federal prison for 46 months after being sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny. Johnson pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, a charge stemming from a raid on his home in March 2022.
The bust, conducted by the New Haven Police Department Shooting Task Force and ATF agents, revealed more than just the .40 caliber handgun. Investigators say Johnson was caught flushing narcotics down the toilet as they executed a state search warrant. A subsequent search turned up fentanyl, marijuana, and a staggering $8,600 in cash. The handgun was loaded with an extended magazine containing 16 rounds of ammunition, painting a clear picture of potential danger.
This wasn’t Johnson’s first brush with the law. Court records show a history of felony convictions for firearm and assault-related offenses. Federal law strictly prohibits individuals with prior felony convictions from possessing firearms that have crossed state lines, a fact that sealed Johnson’s fate.
Johnson has been cooling his heels in jail since his federal arrest on April 21, 2022. The guilty plea, entered on August 28, 2023, set the stage for today’s sentencing. Beyond the 46 months behind bars, Johnson will face three years of supervised release, with the first six months to be served under home detention.
The case was built by the ATF and New Haven Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia King as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN, a Department of Justice initiative, focuses on targeting the most violent offenders and collaborating with local programs to reduce crime – a strategy that clearly resonated in this case.
While the feds tout PSN as an “evidence-based program,” the reality on the streets remains grim. Another gun off the streets, another felon locked up. But for every Teejay Johnson, there are others waiting to take his place. The cycle of violence continues, fueled by drugs and easy access to firearms, and the Grimy Times will be there to report on it, one case at a time.
Related Federal Cases
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- Michael A. Petro, Gun Possession on National Park Land, CT 2024 · Connecticut
- Juan Quinones, Gun and Narcotics Possession, CT 2015 · Connecticut
- Charles Barnes, Gun Possession with Loaded Firearm, CT 2023 · Connecticut
- Elliott Otero, Unlawful Gun Possession, Connecticut 2024 · Connecticut
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