Connecticut man sentenced to eight years in prison for fourth gun offense

A Connecticut man was sentenced to eight years in prison for his fourth criminal conviction for a firearms offense, officials said.

Joseph Stokes, 25, of Waterbury, was sentenced Thursday in New Haven for criminal possession of a firearm. The sentence came after the defendant waived his right to a jury trial and asked Judge Peter Brown to determine whether he was guilty or not guilty of the crime charged. Stokes received the maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, suspended after eight years served, followed by five years of probation.

According to court records, on January 17, 2019, Stokes was in possession of a firearm at a residence in Meriden. At that time, he had already been convicted of a criminal offense that prevented him from possessing a firearm. Despite this prohibition, the defendant brought a loaded firearm to the residence and then discharged his firearm several times.

During the sentencing hearing, Brown referenced the negative effects of illegal firearms in Connecticut communities and stated that the defendant's latest conviction was his fourth criminal conviction for a gun-related offense. firearms, according to the state's attorney's office.

Stephen Underwood can be contacted at [email protected]