New London resident Robert Cabanban Jr., 23, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 48 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.

According to the office of the U.S. Attorney, members of the New London Police Department raided his apartment on Maple Avenue on Sept. 26, 2012, seizing approximately 12 grams of heroin, narcotics packaging materials and a loaded .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol. Police said Cabanaban arrived home during the search and attempted to flee. He was apprehended a short time later with $6,220 in cash in his possession.

Cabanban has prior convictions for possession with intent to sell narcotics and burglary in the third degree and is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms. His narcotics possession case is pending in New London Superior Court.

The case was investigated by the New London Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah P. Karwan and Alina Reynolds.