14 Charged for Drug Trafficking & Violence in Bridgeport

News from the US Attorney, District of CT:

Fourteen people were indicted with narcotics and firearms offenses as part of joint investigation into drug trafficking and violence in Bridgeport, according to an announcement on Friday from Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.

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 Dept. and CT State Police 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 
OMAR 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 JOHNSON, 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, the Trumbull Police Department and the 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.