Ansonia Precision Manufacturing

CTpost.com reported on the sentencing of Michael Stinson who was convicted of stealing assault weapons.

NEW HAVEN -- Michael Stinson insists being entrapped by federal agents into stealing assault rifles from an Ansonia manufacturing plant.

But Assistant U.S. Attorneys Felice Duffy and Robert Spector did not believe the 16-time convicted felon and took him to trial.

The federal jury did not believe him and convicted him in March on charges of conspiring to steal firearms, theft of firearms from a licensed dealer and possession of firearms by a convicted felon.

First of all, are they really saying the guy had 16 felony convictions? I have gone on record opposing the three-strikes-you're-out laws, but this is ridiculous. Even I'm not that soft on criminals?

She [the judge] sentenced Stinson, 52, of Newfield Avenue, Bridgeport, to 16 years and eight months in prison.

The judge imposed a term of nine years and two months on David Harvin, 28, of Birch Drive, Stratford, a co-defendant who cut his trial short by pleading guilty to the three charges.

Around 2 a.m. on Oct. 21, 2009, Michael Stinson and Harvin, who was wearing a camouflage mask and black gloves, were videotaped inside the plant where they attempted to steal 29 rifles they packed into two duffle bags. They were arrested while leaving with the first bag.

Michael Stinson testified he was at the plant to pick up scrap metal and blamed Stevenson for telling him to take the guns.

"Mr. Stinson's testimony is in direct conflict with what David Harvin stated under oath at his change of plea before the Court," said Duffy.

Harvin, who has six prior felony convictions, said Michael Stinson called asking him to assist him in the theft, the prosecutor said.

Wow, those crazy Connecticut gangsters and those crazy Connecticut judges. In this case the guy who got the lightest sentence already had six felony conviction under his belt. He'll be out in four or five.

What's your opinion? With all the excitement do you think anyone bothered to question the security measures taken by Ansonia Precision Manufacturing prior to the theft? Does that even enter into it?

What do you think about the sentences? Are they strong enough? Don't you think this is the other extreme from those horror stories you hear of felony pot criminals getting life sentences?

What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.