Bridgeport Drug Trafficker Sentenced To Federal Prison: U.S. Attorney

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Bridgeport resident Jermel Bates, also known as "Mel Kitty" and "Kitty," was sentenced this week to 84 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking narcotics, announced United States Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery.

The 28-year-old was sentenced this week by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven. He has been detained since his federal arrest in March, and in May, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, including 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements, in the early morning hours of June 25, 2023, Bates crashed his vehicle into a parked car in Bridgeport and fled the scene on foot. Law enforcement searched Bates’ vehicle and found plastic bags containing numerous blue/green fentanyl pills stamped “M/30,” wax paper folds containing fentanyl and other controlled substances, and approximately 78 grams of crack cocaine.

Bates was arrested later that day and charged with state offenses, according to prosecutors.

On March 19, 2024, Bates was arrested on a federal criminal complaint. In conjunction with his arrest, investigators searched him and his Newfield Avenue apartment and found plastic bags with thousands of blue-green fentanyl pills stamped “M/30” and weighing more than 400 grams. Additionally, authorities found hundreds of wax paper sleeves containing fentanyl, and a bag containing approximately 12 grams of crack cocaine.

From the Avery announcement:

This matter was investigated by the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, the Bridgeport Police Department, and the Norwalk Police Department. The Task Force is composed of personnel from the FBI, Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Trumbull Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Gordon.

In March 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA’s New England Field Division released a public service announcement warning of the danger of fentanyl and the proliferation of counterfeit prescription pills. Click here for more information.