Bridgeport Man Sentenced In Federal Drugs And Weapons Case: U.S. Attorney

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A 32-year-old Bridgeport man was recently sentenced to eight years in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearm possession offenses, according to the U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan.

Eric Herman received a 96-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, from U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven on July 22. In March, Herman pleaded guilty in federal court to multiple drug distribution charges and one count of unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon.

Authorities began investigating Herman in 2021 after two fatal fentanyl overdoses that investigators believed were connected to him. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Stratford Police conducted the probe. In May and June 2022, law enforcement made two controlled purchases of fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine from Herman, according to court documents.

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

Federal prosecutors noted Herman has prior state felony convictions for drug and firearm offenses, making it illegal under federal law for him to possess firearms or ammunition.

Herman has been held in custody since his arrest.

He also pleaded guilty in state court to narcotics and manslaughter charges related to an overdose death. He received a 20-year state sentence, suspended after eight years, with five years of probation. Judge Bolden ordered the federal sentence to run concurrently with the state sentence.

The DEA’s HIDTA Task Force includes members from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk, Stamford, and Stratford police departments.

The federal case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen L. Peck.