Norwich Man on Federal Supervised Release Pleads Guilty to Drug and Gun Offenses

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JAVON MORSE, 30, of Norwich, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to cocaine distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 13, 2017, Morse was sentenced in Bridgeport federal court to 60 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for trafficking cocaine. He was released from prison in January 2021.

On October 14, 2024, while on federal supervised release, Morse fled from Norwich Police during a traffic stop. After he fled, Morse went to a storage facility where he maintained a storage unit. As Norwich Police again attempted to stop Morse's vehicle, Morse threw a backpack from the vehicle and sped away. Morse's vehicle became disabled a short distance away and he was taken into custody. Morse possessed $2,356 in cash at the time of his arrest.

A search of the backpack Morse discarded revealed nearly a kilogram of cocaine, numerous narcotic pills, items used to process and package narcotics, and other items. A search of Morse's storage unit revealed four handguns, including two "ghost guns;" loaded gun magazines, including high-capacity magazines; ammunition; and other items. A subsequent search of Morse's vehicle revealed approximately 10 pounds of marijuana, narcotic pills, quantities of methamphetamine and crack cocaine, items used to process and package narcotics, and $4,449 in cash.

Morse, who has been detained in federal custody since December 12, 2024, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years. He faces additional penalties if he is found to have violated the conditions of his supervised release.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 30.

This investigation has been conducted by the Norwich Police Department, the Connecticut State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.