Shelton Man Nabbed Among 14 in Drug, Violence Sweep

A Shelton man was arrested as a part of a sweep in Bridgeport targeting drug traffic and violence.

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 Dec. 18, said Deidre M. Daly, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut. The charges involve drug and firearms.

Jermaine "Hot Main" Buchanan, 18, of Shelton, was arrested in the indictment, in addition residents of Stratford and Bridgeport.

According to statements made in court, since January 2012, the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, Bridgeport Police Department and Connecticut State Police Statewide 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, Bohannoin, 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”).

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.