New Haven Man Arrested on Firearm and Narcotics Charges
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that SHANNON WICKER, also known as “Bishop,” 33, of New Haven, was arrested yesterday on a federal criminal complaint charging him with narcotics and firearm offenses.
As alleged in the complaint, on October 16, 2019, law enforcement conducted a court-authorized search of a Chapel Street apartment and found a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol; additional rounds of .45 caliber ammunition; quantities of heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana; items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, and other items. Wicker, who was present during the search, was arrested on related state charges at that time.
It is alleged that Wicker’s criminal history includes multiple state felony convictions, including convictions for weapon in a motor vehicle, sale of illegal hallucinogens or narcotics, sale of a controlled substance, possession of narcotics, tampering with evidence, and failure to appear.
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 complaint charges Wicker with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, a controlled substance; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. If convicted of the charges, Wicker faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
Wicker is detained pending a bond hearing that is scheduled for November 14, 2019. U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the New Haven Police Department, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosive. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan.
This prosecution is part of 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.
###
