United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: THREE-TIME STAMFORD FELON PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL FIREARMS CHARGE

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GREGORY COOK, 32, of Stamford, pleaded guilty yesterday, January 15, before United States District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

According to statements made in court, as well as statements made under oath by COOK, on April 22, 2008, members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Stamford Police Department arrested COOK for knowingly possessing a firearm and ammunition.

COOK previously was convicted on federal charges for aiding and abetting armed bank robbery and using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in 1996, and Alabama state convictions for possession of a pistol by a forbidden person in 2003 and first-degree robbery in 2004.

It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Judge Arterton has scheduled sentencing for April 3, 2009, at which time COOK faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Stamford Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David T. Huang.

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.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov