Javon Morse, 30, of Norwich, pleaded guilty on Mar. 18 before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to charges related to cocaine distribution and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, according to an announcement from David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about recidivism and public safety when individuals on federal supervised release commit new offenses involving drugs and firearms.
Court documents show that Morse was previously sentenced in December 2017 to five years in prison and four years of supervised release for trafficking cocaine. He was released from prison in January 2021. While still under supervision, Morse fled from Norwich Police during a traffic stop on October 14, 2024. Authorities say he then went to a storage facility where he kept a unit. As police attempted another stop, Morse threw a backpack from his vehicle before being apprehended after his car became disabled nearby.
Police recovered $2,356 in cash at the time of Morse’s arrest. A search of the discarded backpack revealed nearly one kilogram of cocaine, narcotic pills, packaging materials for narcotics, and other items. Further searches uncovered four handguns—including two “ghost guns”—loaded magazines (including high-capacity magazines), ammunition, additional drugs including marijuana and methamphetamine, more packaging materials, and $4,449 in cash.
Morse has been detained since December 12, 2024. He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine—a charge carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to forty years—and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon with up to fifteen years possible imprisonment. Additional penalties may apply if it is determined that he violated conditions of his supervised release.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 30. The investigation involved the Norwich Police Department, Connecticut State Police, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins is prosecuting the case.