NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Following a multi-agency investigation into the 2023 theft of more than 30 guns from a Newington gun store, a man was federally charged Tuesday with firearm and drug offenses.
The indictment was announced on Wednesday by the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Boston Field Division.
The indictment alleges that Kwitzpatrick Duffany, 36, formerly of Willimantic, stole over 30 firearms from “Hoffman’s Guns for the Good Guys” gun store on the Berlin Turnpike on May 27, 2023. The store is a federal firearms licensee.
On that date, Duffany allegedly possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine and used a gun in relation to that offense, prosecutors said, adding that Duffany’s alleged criminal history includes two state convictions for third-degree burglary.
Prosecutors noted in Wednesday’s release that it is a violation of federal law for an individual previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Duffany is charged with theft of firearms from a licensee, which carries a maximum prison term of 10 years. He is also charged with unlawful possession of firearms by a felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.
Additionally, Duffany is charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, and use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least five years.
Prosecutors said Duffany has been detained since being arrested on unrelated state charges on May 31, 2023, and stressed that indictments are not evidence of guilt; they said charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The ATF and the Newington Police Department are currently investigating the matter with help from the Connecticut State Police and the Willimantic Police Department.
UPDATE:
On the afternoon of April 18, Public Affairs Officer Tom Carson noted that the vast majority of the stolen firearms have not been recovered. The state hopes to provide more information as the case progresses.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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