A New London man has been sentenced to six years in prison for illegally possessing a firearm and distributing marijuana while on federal supervised release, according to the office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.

James Bowers, 32, had pleaded guilty to these charges on Feb. 17, 2017, the news release stated. U.S. District Judge Robert Chatigny sentenced him to 72 months in prison and then three years of supervised release.

In October 2008, Bowers was sentenced to 120 months in prison and eight years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, according to court documents and statements.

He was released in December 2014.

On June 30, 2016, officers conducted a court-authorized search of Bowers' residence, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

They seized a .45 caliber handgun, more than a kilogram of packaged marijuana, items for packaging marijuana and $2,600 in cash. The firearm reportedly was stolen from Ohio.