West Haven Man Sentenced To Federal Prison On Gun, Drug Charges

WEST HAVEN, CT — A West Haven man has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison on gun and drug charges, according to officials.

Brian Melendez, 32, was also sentenced Tuesday to six years of supervised release following the prison term for cocaine distribution and ammunition possession offenses, Acting U.S. Attorney for Connecticut Leonard C. Boyle announced.

Melendez was arrested Jan. 7, 2020, after authorities found a “loaded .22 caliber pistol, a distribution quantity of cocaine, and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale” during a search of his West Haven home and a car parked at the residence, according to a news release. Melendez’s home is near Washington Elementary School.

Melendez’s criminal history includes felony convictions for firearms possession offenses in Connecticut and North Carolina, according to officials. 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.

Melendez pleaded guilty in January to one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine near a school.