Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDWARD HOGAN, 38, and his brother, JUSTIN HOGAN, 34, both of Waterbury, pleaded guilty today to federal narcotics trafficking and mail theft charges.

This matter stems from a federal investigation into the use of the mails to transport narcotics from Puerto Rico to the greater Waterbury area.

According to court documents and statements made in court, EDWARD HOGAN was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a supervisor of customer service assigned to the Plaza Station Post Office in Waterbury. Beginning in approximately January 2012, HOGAN used his position with the U.S. Postal Service to remove parcels containing cocaine and marijuana from the mail stream. EDWARD and JUSTIN HOGAN then distributed the drugs to third parties for profit.

On November 9, 2013, law enforcement surveilled EDWARD HOGAN as he intercepted a package containing approximately two kilograms of cocaine that was delivered to the Waterbury Main Post Office on Grand Street. He then transported the parcel to his residence. JUSTIN HOGAN arrived at the residence a short time later and opened the package in EDWARD HOGAN’s presence.

EDWARD HOGAN pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and one count of embezzlement of mail by a U.S. Postal Employee. JUSTIN HOGAN pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and one count of receipt of stolen mail matter. The defendants face a maximum term of imprisonment of 25 years when they are sentenced.

EDWARD HOGAN has also agreed to forfeit $22,364 in cash that was seized at the time of his arrest.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Postal Service—Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher M. Mattei.