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Bradley Commerford waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty in New Haven federal court to one count of distribution of heroin to an individual who is under 21 years of age, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney for Connecticut Deirdre M. Daly and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England.
This case stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that kill or seriously injury drug users.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, Derby Police Department and Shelton Police Department have been investigating two non-fatal heroin overdoses that occurred in Shelton on Feb. 16, and one fatal overdose that occurred in Derby on Feb. 17.
In Derby, a 23-year-old man died. In Shelton, the overdose victims were 18 and 22.
The investigation includes victim and witness interviews as well as analysis of text messages of the Derby victim's phone. Through that, Commerford was identified as the heroin source of supply in all three overdose cases.
The investigation also revealed that Commerford sold heroin to a 16-year-old individual who did not overdose.
The charge carries a mandatory minimum prison term of one year and a maximum of 40 years as well as a term of supervised release of no less than six years, and a fine of up to $2 million.
Commerford is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford on July 28. He has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on Feb. 18.
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.
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