(New Haven, CT) - New Haven Judicial District State’s Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr. today announced that the Honorable Gerald L. Harmon on April 30, 2025 sentenced Jonathan Willette, age 34, of Meriden, to 20 years in prison, suspended after eight years served, followed by five years of probation, for firearms offenses. Willette pleaded guilty to one count of Sale of a Firearm, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 29-33(c), one count of Manufacturing a Firearm, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 29-36a, one count of Possession of an Assault Weapon, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53-202c, one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-217, and one count of Violation of Probation, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-32a.
On June 23, 2022 officers with the Meriden and Middletown police departments executed a search and seizure warrant at Willette’s home in Meriden after an investigation revealed he was manufacturing and selling firearms. During the execution of the warrant, a number of firearms were located, including eight Polymer 80 brand firearms, five fully automatic firearms, and one AK-47 assault-style rifle. Investigators also located firearms manufacturing equipment, including drill presses, jigs, and “Glock switches,” which, when installed, allow a semiautomatic firearm to fire as fully automatic.
A subsequent search and seizure warrant was authorized for Willette’s cellphone, which revealed that he was manufacturing, modifying, and selling firearms. Willette had previously been convicted of a felony and therefore was unable to legally possess firearms.
The case was investigated by the Meriden Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit and the Middletown Police Department’s Street Crime Unit, and was prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Melissa R. Holmes, with the assistance of Supervisory Inspector Racheal Cain.
State’s Attorney Doyle would like to extend his gratitude to the Meriden and Middletown Police Departments for their investigative efforts.