Convicted CT felon found with loaded handgun sentenced to prison

A convicted Connecticut felon was sentenced Wednesday to more than two years in federal prison for illegally possessing a loaded handgun.

Christopher Gaskin, 47, of Hartford, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 27 months in prison after a jury found Gaskin guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and not guilty of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. on Feb. 28, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

On Jan. 1, 2022, Hartford Police Department officers stopped a car Gaskin was driving on Irving Street, according to court records. Gaskin was arrested “after a search of his person revealed a loaded .380 caliber handgun, a baggie containing approximately five grams of crack cocaine and 35 vials of crack cocaine,” according to officials.

Gaskin’s criminal history includes several felony convictions, including assault, robbery and witness tampering, making it illegal for him to be in possession of a firearm or ammunition, officials said.