Christopher Purvis, 29, was sentenced on Mar. 11 to 60 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, according to David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. The sentence will be served consecutively to other federal and state sentences that Purvis is currently serving.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to address gun violence and drug trafficking offenses. Authorities say these crimes pose significant risks to public safety.
According to court documents and statements made in court, New Britain Police attempted to stop a car with Purvis as an occupant on May 7, 2022. As officers approached, Purvis accelerated at high speed before crashing the vehicle. He and others fled the scene on foot. A search of the car uncovered fentanyl, cocaine, and a loaded Glock 9mm handgun reported stolen. Analysis found Purvis’ DNA on both the firearm and drug packaging.
Purvis pleaded guilty on August 8, 2025. He is already serving a 72-month federal sentence for trafficking fentanyl and cocaine in northern Vermont and a concurrent six-year Connecticut state sentence for firearm and threatening offenses.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and the Bristol Police Department. The task force includes personnel from multiple local police departments as well as the DEA Hartford Resident Office and Connecticut State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha Freismuth and Christopher Lembo prosecuted the case.
This sentencing reflects continued collaboration among law enforcement agencies targeting individuals involved in armed drug trafficking.