David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Eduardo Cruz, 19, from Waterbury, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 36 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. The sentencing is for offenses related to the theft and trafficking of firearms from a federally licensed gun dealer in Salem.
Court documents revealed that on March 15, 2024, Cruz and others drove into the entryway doors of Statewide Pawn Shop in Salem and stole 21 firearms. Law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of three stolen firearms from Cruz and a juvenile later that day in Waterbury. On March 18, investigators bought another stolen firearm from Cruz at a meeting location where he arrived with two juveniles. Cruz was arrested at that time, with two additional stolen firearms recovered—one carried by a juvenile and one found in his vehicle.
Two more stolen firearms were discovered at an associate’s home on March 18, while thirteen remain missing.
Cruz has been detained since his arrest and pleaded guilty on March 7, 2025, to one count each of theft of firearms from a licensee and firearms trafficking.
The investigation is being handled by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with the Connecticut State Police and police departments from Waterbury, Stamford, and Wolcott.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan expressed gratitude to the State’s Attorneys for the Judicial Districts of Waterbury and New London for their cooperation in this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Mahard is prosecuting through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing gun violence by uniting law enforcement levels with communities. More information about PSN can be found at www.justice.gov/psn.
