NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) – A former leader of the Eastern Pequot tribe has been convicted of illegally transferring guns to his cousin who is also a convicted felon to pay off a drug debt.

A jury in New London Superior Court deliberated for less than an hour before finding Mark R. Sebastian guilty on Friday. The 47-year-old faces up to 35 years in prison when he is sentenced Jan. 28.

Sebastian, former tribal vice chairman of the Eastern Pequots, has denied the charges. He did not comment as he left the courthouse with his mother after the verdict.

Prosecutors alleged Sebastian bought three pistols in 2005 and gave them and a fourth handgun to Calvin Sebastian, a convicted drug dealer now serving a federal prison sentence.

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Information from: The Day, http://www.theday.com