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Attorneys call cop’s gun case ‘misunderstanding’
Published: Friday, October 2, 2009
By William Kaempffer, Register Staff
NEW HAVEN — Attorneys for a Waterbury police sergeant accused of improperly selling or transferring seven firearms — including one that later was used in five different New Haven shootings — described the case as a “misunderstanding” and said their client is innocent.
Harold David Setzer, 41, of Davis Street, New Haven, made a brief appearance in Superior Court Thursday. No plea was entered and the case was transferred to the “Part A” courthouse at 235 Church St. where more serious matters are heard.
Setzer is on paid leave from the Waterbury force.
Attorney Michael Jefferson, who is representing Setzer along with Hamden attorney Frank Cannatelli, called Setzer a “decorated police officer” who once coached Jefferson’s son in Little League.
“It is a misunderstanding and David is anxious to have his day in court,” Jefferson said outside the courthouse. “Right now, David is anxious to get on with his life and pursue this and clear his name.”
Asked if his client was illegally selling guns, he replied, “Absolutely not. That’s ridiculous.”
According to New Haven police, two firearms that belonged to the 17-year police officer ended up in the hands of convicted felons, and seven other firearms registered to him remain unaccounted for, police said.
Setzer faces seven counts of illegal transfer or sale of a firearm, along with charges of manufacture of bombs, criminal possession of an assault weapon, illegal possession of explosives, illegal possession of firearms and risk of injury to a minor. The bulk of the charges stem from a search warrant police executed at Setzer’s house in August. The risk charge apparently was filed because the fireworks and explosive shells were in his home that he shares with his 15-year-old son.
Over the last seven months, Setzer hit the Police Department’s radar screen in three guns cases, but the final two appear to be what put him in the cross hairs of a criminal probe.
According to police, Setzer in March reported two firearms stolen from his vehicle. Two months later, one of the guns, a .357 revolver, was recovered.
Then in June, police arrested a 24-year-old man with a .32-caliber pistol. It was registered to Setzer and hadn’t been reported stolen. When police inquired, Setzer told detectives he had traded in the weapon at a Bethany gun dealer, but police say he couldn’t provide documentation.
The third incident occurred Aug. 8. Police arrested three felons in possession of another one of Setzer’s guns, this one a .40-caliber police later learned had been used in a shootout outside a Humphrey Street bar. That gun hadn’t been reported stolen.
State police records show Setzer has 23 firearms registered to him. Fifteen have been seized by police, one remains an unrecovered stolen firearm and seven are unaccounted for.
Setzer told them he, at one point, had about 65 weapons but sold most to gun dealers when he encountered financial problems three or four years ago. He claimed he had 16 left.
Setzer has been a firearms instructor at the Waterbury force for more than a decade.
Attorneys call cop’s gun case ‘misunderstanding’
Published: Friday, October 2, 2009
By William Kaempffer, Register Staff
NEW HAVEN — Attorneys for a Waterbury police sergeant accused of improperly selling or transferring seven firearms — including one that later was used in five different New Haven shootings — described the case as a “misunderstanding” and said their client is innocent.
Harold David Setzer, 41, of Davis Street, New Haven, made a brief appearance in Superior Court Thursday. No plea was entered and the case was transferred to the “Part A” courthouse at 235 Church St. where more serious matters are heard.
Setzer is on paid leave from the Waterbury force.
Attorney Michael Jefferson, who is representing Setzer along with Hamden attorney Frank Cannatelli, called Setzer a “decorated police officer” who once coached Jefferson’s son in Little League.
“It is a misunderstanding and David is anxious to have his day in court,” Jefferson said outside the courthouse. “Right now, David is anxious to get on with his life and pursue this and clear his name.”
Asked if his client was illegally selling guns, he replied, “Absolutely not. That’s ridiculous.”
According to New Haven police, two firearms that belonged to the 17-year police officer ended up in the hands of convicted felons, and seven other firearms registered to him remain unaccounted for, police said.
Setzer faces seven counts of illegal transfer or sale of a firearm, along with charges of manufacture of bombs, criminal possession of an assault weapon, illegal possession of explosives, illegal possession of firearms and risk of injury to a minor. The bulk of the charges stem from a search warrant police executed at Setzer’s house in August. The risk charge apparently was filed because the fireworks and explosive shells were in his home that he shares with his 15-year-old son.
Over the last seven months, Setzer hit the Police Department’s radar screen in three guns cases, but the final two appear to be what put him in the cross hairs of a criminal probe.
According to police, Setzer in March reported two firearms stolen from his vehicle. Two months later, one of the guns, a .357 revolver, was recovered.
Then in June, police arrested a 24-year-old man with a .32-caliber pistol. It was registered to Setzer and hadn’t been reported stolen. When police inquired, Setzer told detectives he had traded in the weapon at a Bethany gun dealer, but police say he couldn’t provide documentation.
The third incident occurred Aug. 8. Police arrested three felons in possession of another one of Setzer’s guns, this one a .40-caliber police later learned had been used in a shootout outside a Humphrey Street bar. That gun hadn’t been reported stolen.
State police records show Setzer has 23 firearms registered to him. Fifteen have been seized by police, one remains an unrecovered stolen firearm and seven are unaccounted for.
Setzer told them he, at one point, had about 65 weapons but sold most to gun dealers when he encountered financial problems three or four years ago. He claimed he had 16 left.
Setzer has been a firearms instructor at the Waterbury force for more than a decade.
