Federal Jury Finds Gunman Arrested in Monroe Guilty

The following is a press release issued by State's Attorney's Office for the Judicial District of Bridgeport/Fairfield.

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced that a federal jury in Hartford has found Kevin Mills, 23, of New Haven, guilty of one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. The trial began on Jan. 10 and the jury returned the verdict Thursday.

According to the evidence presented during the trial, on March 27, 2011, Mills, Carl S. Harvey Jr. and two other individuals were arrested by Monroe Police after a high-speed motor vehicle chase that ended when the defendants crashed on Route 34 at the approach of the Stevenson Dam in Monroe.

Harvey, 27, of New Haven, was driving the car and Mills was a passenger in the front seat. Following the crash, Mills was found unconscious with a loaded, sawed-off, 12-gauge shotgun between his knees.

Mills was subsequently removed from the vehicle by the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department, and Mills, Harvey and the two other individuals were taken to area hospitals for medical treatment.

A search of the car and other passengers revealed a loaded .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol and narcotics.

Prior to March 2011, Mills and Harvey had sustained multiple felony convictions.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

On January 3, 2012, Harvey pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

When they are sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant, each defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. However, Mills may be subject to the Armed Career Criminal Act, a federal law imposing severe penalties for firearm and ammunition possession by persons who have been convicted of at least three violent felonies or serious drug offenses.

If Judge Bryant determines that Mills qualifies as an Armed Career Criminal, he faces a minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of life.

The other two passengers in the car have pleaded guilty to state weapons and narcotics charges in Connecticut Superior Court.

This case was investigated by the Monroe Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Vizcarrondo and Assistant United States Attorney S. Dave Vatti.

The state cases have been prosecuted by the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Bridgeport/Fairfield. The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, and improving the safety of residents of Connecticut’s cities. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.