Fourteen Charged After Joint Investigation into Drug Trafficking and Violence in Bridgeport
| U.S. Attorney’s Office January 03, 2014 |
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Bridgeport Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett, Jr. today announced that 14 individuals have been charged by indictment with various narcotics and firearms offenses as part of joint investigation into drug trafficking and violence in Bridgeport. The majority of the defendants were arrested on criminal complaints in early December and a federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned an 18-count indictment on December 18.
According to statements made in court, since January 2012, the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, Bridgeport Police Department, and Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force has been conducting an investigation into narcotics trafficking and violent criminal activity in and around the Trumbull Gardens housing complex in Bridgeport.
Charged in the indictment are
- Ronell Hanks, a.k.a. “Biz” and “Ace,” 24, of Bridgeport
- Mar Bahamonde, a.k.a. “Dirk,” 29, of Bridgeport
- Jonathan Bohannon, 25, of Bridgeport
- Jermaine Buchanan, a.k.a. “Hot Main,” 18, of Shelton
- Moyan Forbes, 22, of Bridgeport
- Rashad Heard, a.k.a. “Shotty,” 23, of Bridgeport
- Sybil Hopkins, 55, of Stratford
- Steven Hutchinson, a.k.a. “L,” 24, of Bridgeport
- Tavar Jonhson, 30, of Bridgeport
- Yazmine Morales, 36, of Newington
- Carlos Soto, a.k.a. “Machon,” 49, of Newington
- Eboney Wood, a.k.a. “Sis,” 33, of New Haven
- D’Metrius Woodward, a.k.a. “Flea,” 29, of Bridgeport
- Tysheem Wright, 25, of Bridgeport
During the course of the investigation, investigators seized approximately one kilogram of heroin, one-half kilogram of crack cocaine, approximately $100,000 in cash, three vehicles, jewelry, nine firearms, and more than 200 rounds of ammunition. One of the firearms was an assault-type rifle, and four of the firearms were stolen.
The indictment charges each defendant with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute narcotics. If convicted of this charge, based on the type and quantity of narcotics charged, Bahamonde, Bohannon, Forbes, Hanks, Heard, Hopkins, Morales, Soto, Wood, Woodward, and Wright face a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. Buchanan, Hutchinson, and Johnson face a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.
Certain defendants are also charged with possessing with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin and/or cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).
The indictment also charges Hanks and Bohannon with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a previously convicted felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years; Bohannon and Buchanan with one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, which carries a mandatory five-year sentence; Hanks and Buchanan with one count of possession of a stolen firearm, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years; and Wood with transfer of a firearm to a convicted felon (Hanks), which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case has been assigned to Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, in coordination with the Bridgeport Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, Trumbull Police Department, and Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Fairfield are assisting this investigation and prosecution. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracy Lee Dayton and Rahul Kale.