A United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Rashad Heard, also known as “Shotty,” 25-years-old, was sentenced yesterday in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release. Today, Tysheem Wright, 28-years-old, was sentenced to approximately 15 months of imprisonment, time already served, and five years of supervised release.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2012, the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, Bridgeport Police Department and Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force began an investigation into narcotics trafficking and violent criminal activity in and around the Trumbull Gardens housing complex in Bridgeport. The investigation revealed that Ronell Hanks, also known as “Biz” and “Ace,” headed an organization that sold heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
Heard and Wright received heroin from Hanks and sold the drug to their own customers.
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.
On December 18, 2013, a grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment charging HEARD, WRIGHT, Hanks and 11 other individuals with narcotics and firearms trafficking offenses.
Heard and Wright have been detained since their arrests in December 2013. Both defendants previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.
Heard’s criminal history includes a conviction in December 2007 for first-degree robbery and attempted murder. He served approximately seven years of imprisonment for those offenses.
Hanks pleaded guilty and, on February 26, 2015, was sentenced to 17 years of imprisonment.
