NEW HAVEN, CT – John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging RONNELL ROGERS, 27, of New Haven with narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.
The indictment was returned on January 25 and Rogers was arrested today. He appeared via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector, entered a plea of not guilty to the charges, and was ordered detained.
As alleged in the indictment, on January 17, 2021, Rogers possessed distribution quantities of heroin and crack cocaine, and a loaded Smith & Wesson .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol.
It is further alleged that Rogers’ criminal history includes state convictions for firearm, larceny and risk of injury offenses, and a federal conviction in 2019 for possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
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.
The indictment charges Rogers with one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine base (“crack”), which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years; and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least five years.
Rogers, who is on federal supervised release, also faces additional penalties if he is found to have violated the conditions of his supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Haven Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.
This prosecution has been brought though Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.