Bridgeport Man Pleads Guilty In Federal Drug Trafficking Case

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A 32-year-old Bridgeport man has pleaded guilty to drug distribution and firearm possession charges following an investigation into fatal fentanyl overdoses, Acting U.S. Attorney Marc H. Silverman announced.

Eric Herman entered his guilty plea to multiple charges before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven on Monday. The charges include two counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of crack cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin, as well as one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

Authorities began investigating Herman’s alleged drug trafficking activities in 2021, after two fatal overdoses were linked to fentanyl believed to have come from him, prosecutors said. The White House’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Stratford police conducted the investigation, making controlled purchases of fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine in May and June 2022.

Herman was arrested on Sept. 15, 2022. At the time, he was in possession of a distribution quantity of cocaine, a loaded 9mm "ghost gun" with a laser sight, and additional rounds of ammunition, officials said.

Prosecutors said that Herman has prior state felony convictions for drug and firearm offenses. Under federal law, individuals with felony convictions are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition that have moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Each of the charges carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years.

Herman, who has been in custody since his arrest, has also pleaded guilty in state court to narcotics and manslaughter charges in connection with an overdose death, prosecutors said.

The case was investigated by the HIDTA Task Force, which includes the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, Connecticut State Police, and police departments from Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk, Stamford, and Stratford. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen L. Peck is prosecuting the case.