A Norwich man has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an indictment charging him with having cocaine, narcotic pills and several handguns while being supervised by federal officials in connection with a previous drug conviction.
Javon Morse, 29, appeared Monday in federal court in Hartford where he pleaded not guilty to charges of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.
If convicted, Morse could face a minimum of five years in prison or as many as 55 years behind bars, officials said.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Morse was previously sentenced to 60 months in prison and four years of supervised release during a hearing on Dec. 13, 2017, in Bridgeport federal court for trafficking cocaine. He was released from prison in January 2021.
On Oct. 14, 2024, while still on federal supervised release, federal officials said Morse was arrested by members of the Norwich Police Department and charged with being in possession of nearly a kilogram of cocaine, narcotic pills, items used to process and package narcotics, four handguns and loaded high-capacity magazines.
Federal authorities noted that convicted felons are barred from having firearms or ammunition.
According to officials, the indictment was returned against Morse in federal court in New Haven on Dec. 17, 2024. He remains in custody and could face additional penalties if he is found to have violated the conditions of his release, federal authorities said.
