Bail bondsman pleads guilty to trafficking guns

BRIDGEPORT - A local bail bondsman is facing up to 10 years in prison after he pleaded guilty Tuesday to trafficking guns from Georgia to the city.

Police said Mark “Buddy” Williams, 29, was purchasing guns at gun shows in Georgia and bringing the guns back to the city for resale. They said many of his deals were arranged by his wife, Vanessa, at the Panera Bread restaurant in Milford where she worked.

Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney C. Robert Satti Jr. said Williams was arrested following a joint investigation between the U.S. Department of Alco0hol Tobacco and Firearms and city police.

During a hearing Tuesday, Williams, of Woodside Avenue, pleaded guilty under the Alford Doctrine to firearms trafficking and illegally transferring firearms.

Superior Court Judge Robert Devlin told Williams he would consider imposing a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison but give Williams’ lawyer, Michael Skiber, an opportunity to argue for a term of three years when Williams is sentenced Sept. 15.

A plea made under the Alford Doctrine means Williams did not admit his guilt but conceded he could be found guilty if he went to trial. The judge then found him guilty of the charges.

Neither Williams, who is free on bond, nor Skiber would comment as they left the Main Street courthouse.

Just how many guns Williams sold and where they ended up is still under investigation police said. However, they said Vanessa Williams told an undercover officer that her husband had many customers in Bridgeport.

After introducing themselves as prospective gun buyers to Vanessa Williams at Panera, police said they subsequently made two undercover purchases of guns from Mark Williams.

Police said one of the weapons they purchased from Williams was a TEC-9 assault rifle. During one of the meeting police said Williams mentioned he was doing business with the Bloods gang.