Crime & Safety
Stonington Police Assist in Indictment for Federal Narcotics Offense
More than $14,000 in cash, crack cocaine, cocaine and more was allegedly found in the 41-year-old Ledyard man's residence.
A federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Ledyard resident Damien Bryant, 41, with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base or crack and cocaine. The indictment was returned on March 29, 2016.
According to allegations contained in a previously-filed criminal complaint, in February 2016, the Stonington Police Department received information that Bryant was allegedly distributing crack cocaine.
On March 9, 2016, members of the Regional Community Enhancement Task Force and the Ledyard Police Department executed a state search and seizure warrant at Bryant's residence and reportedly seized crack cocaine, cocaine, marijuana, narcotics paraphernalia and more than $14,000 in cash. Bryant was arrested at that time.
Violation of Supervised Release
On March 5, 2010, Bryant was sentenced in Bridgeport federal court to 42 months of imprisonment for distributing crack cocaine and violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction in the District of Rhode Island. He is currently serving a 10-year-term of federal supervised release.
Bryant appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford on Tuesday, April 5, and entered pleas of not guilty to the charge in the indictment, and to violating the conditions of his supervised release.
If convicted, Bryant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years for the narcotics offense, and an additional term of imprisonment of up to 80 months for violating his supervised release. He has been detained since his arrest.
U.S. Attorney Deidre Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Regional Community Enhancement Task Force, and the Ledyard, Stonington and Groton Town Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John H. Durham.
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