U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
District of Connecticut

NEWS RELEASE
Kevin J. O’Connor , U.S. Attorney

Connecticut Financial Center
157 Church Street
New Haven, Connecticut 06510
www.usdoj.gov/usao/ct

CONTACT: Tom Carson
Public Information Office
(203) 821-3722
(203) 996-1393 (cell)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2006

Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Glenn N. Anderson, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Boston Field Division, today announced that FRANK D’ANDREA, age 61 (DOB 12/21/44) of 94 Soundview Avenue, Shelton, Conn. has been arrested on numerous federal firearms charges related to the operation of D’Andrea’s Gun Case, formerly of 1420 Barnum Avenue in Stratford, Conn. D’ANDREA’s store is now called Guns & Safes Unlimited and has moved its location to 269 Woodmont Road, Milford, Conn. D’ANDREA was arrested on Thursday, April 20, and was presented before United States Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport. He was released after posting a $200,000 non-surety bond.

According to documents filed with the court and statements made in court, in April 2005, ATF Inspectors began conducting a routine regulatory firearms compliance inspection of D’Andrea’s Gun Case in Stratford. During the course of the inspection, ATF Inspectors began to uncover numerous violations and referred the matter to ATF criminal investigators and the United States Attorney’s Office for further investigation. The audit and investigation revealed numerous alleged violations of federal firearms laws.

The Criminal Complaint alleges, among other things, that D’ANDREA possessed two unregistered “Street Sweepers,” (high-powered machine guns, the unregistered possession of which is prohibited by the National Firearms Act), and other assault weapons that are illegal under Connecticut law, many of which were hidden in D’ANDREA’s store. The Criminal Complaint further alleges that D’ANDREA repeatedly failed to properly conduct required background checks on firearm purchasers; falsely stated on multiple occasions that background checks on customers had been conducted when they had not; listed nonexistent background check numbers on required forms; unlawfully kept and transferred various firearms off his books; and sold firearms to customers who had expressly indicated that they were prohibited persons (e.g., individuals who indicated on forms that they were under indictment for a felony, were illegal aliens, or had been convicted of a crime of domestic violence, etc.). The Complaint further alleges that the audit and investigation also revealed hundreds of instances of lost or missing firearms, and D’ANDREA’s failure to report them as required.

The Complaint also includes mail fraud and obstruction of justice charges arising from D'ANDREA’s allegedly shipping a number of firearms that are illegal under Connecticut law out of his store during the period of the ATF audit in order to prevent their discovery.

“This investigation has revealed a disturbing lack of control and mismanagement by one of Connecticut 's largest gun dealers, and blatant disregard for federal firearms possession and reporting laws,” U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated.  “This case goes to the heart of how legal guns become illegal guns on the street.  Gun store operators are the first line of defense for stopping gun crimes on our streets, and this case will be prosecuted to the fullest extent.”

At D’ANDREA’s presentment on April 21, the Government stated, that for several years, a large number of crime guns have been traced back to D’ANDREA’s store.

“I would like to acknowledge the excellent work of our Industry Operations Investigators during this investigation” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Anderson.  “Their diligent efforts during a routine inspection started this investigation.  Stopping the illegal flow of firearms continues to be one of our top priorities and today is just another example of how we do that.”

U.S. Attorney O'Connor stressed that a Complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is entitled to have this matter presented to a grand jury and, in the event an indictment is returned, he is entitled to a trial at which it will be the Government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being investigated by Special Agents and Inspectors of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys James I. Glasser and Stephen Reynolds.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, and improving the safety of residents of Connecticut 's cities.  Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

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