Convicted felon headed to federal prison on weapons charge

New London -- A former city resident will serve 15 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to illegally possessing firearms.

Kouwanii Brunstorff, 35, was sentenced Friday in federal court in New Haven.

Brunstorff, who is also known as “Legend,” “Kouwanni Bornstorff,” “Kouwani Brunstorff,” and “Kawwani Brunstorff,” has a criminal history that includes multiple felony convictions, including first-degree robbery, assaulting guards and a fellow prisoner while incarcerated on the robbery conviction, and possession of crack cocaine.

In March 2011, New London police responded to a domestic disturbance at Brunstorff’s State Street residence and found .357 and .380 caliber ammunition, as well as narcotics paraphernalia, according to court documents. During a subsequent court-authorized search, police found a loaded .380 semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number in the bathroom wall, and a loaded .357 revolver wrapped in a cloth. The revolver had been reported stolen.

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.

He was sentenced under the Armed Career Criminal Act, which requires a minimum 15-year sentence for convicted felons who possess firearms or ammunition and who have at least three prior felony convictions for serious drug offenses or crimes of violence.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the New London Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony E. Kaplan.