A 20-year-old Derby man has been found guilty of distributing heroin to an individual under 21 years of age, a crime that carries a minimum sentence of one year in prison.
Bradley Commerford, 20, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty in New Haven federal court to the charge. The conviction stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.
According to court documents, the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, Derby Police Department, and Shelton Police Department have been investigating three overdoses that occurred in Shelton and Derby in February 2016. The investigation revealed that Commerford was the heroin source of supply in all three cases, including one fatal overdose that resulted in the death of a 23-year-old male.
The investigation also found that Commerford sold heroin to a 16-year-old individual who did not overdose. As a result of his guilty plea, Commerford is facing a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of one year, a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, a term of supervised release of no less than six years, and a fine of up to $2 million.
Commerford has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on February 18, 2016. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford on July 28, 2016.
The DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon, and Wilton Police Departments. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Spector.
Related Federal Cases
- Jelliffe Gets a Year for Deadly Heroin Deal · Connecticut
- Shawn Miller Gets 7.5 Years for Heroin, Crack Ring · Connecticut
- Reginald Miles Jr. Sentenced in Heroin Death Case · Connecticut
- Bridgeport Man Sold Heroin to Overdose Victim: Feds · Connecticut
- Teddy Stuart Lopez Jr. Pleads Guilty to Heroin Distribution in Overdose Case · Rhode Island
Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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