Ledyard Man Cops to Crack Deal, Faces 25 Years Behind Bars

A 41-year-old Ledyard man has landed himself in a world of trouble after pleading guilty to distributing crack cocaine and violating his supervised release. DAMIEN BRYANT, 41, of Ledyard, Connecticut, pleaded guilty in Bridgeport federal court to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”) and cocaine.

BRYANT also admitted to violating the conditions of his supervised release by committing the drug offense and associating with convicted felons while on release. The convicted felon’s most recent stint in supervised release had been mandated for a 10-year-term.

On March 5, 2010, BRYANT was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 42 months of imprisonment for distributing crack cocaine and violating the conditions of his supervised release from a previous federal conviction in the District of Rhode Island.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2016, the Stonington Police Department received information that BRYANT was distributing crack cocaine. On March 9, 2016, members of the Regional Community Enhancement Task Force and the Ledyard Police Department executed a state search and seizure warrant at BRYANT’s residence and seized crack cocaine, cocaine, marijuana, narcotics paraphernalia, and more than $14,000 in cash. BRYANT was arrested at that time.

BRYANT is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Underhill on January 7, 2017, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years for the narcotics offense, and an additional term of imprisonment of up to five years for violating his supervised release, for a total of up to 25 years behind bars.

This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Regional Community Enhancement Task Force, and the Ledyard, Stonington and Groton Town Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John H. Durham with the assistance of Law Student Intern Joseph Falvey.