Pot Transaction Goes Badly; Retaliatory Assault Results in Jail Time

Waterford resident Matthew J. Hamler, 26, issued a plea of ‘no contest’ on charges that he orchestrated a 2011 home invasion and assault.

Pleading ‘no contest’ is technically not an admission of guilt, but a judge will view it as such and find the person guilty-as-charged, according to the Law Dictionary website.

According to The Day, Hamler and Alex “Booger” Pignataro were partners in a marijuana distribution endeavor while living in East Lyme. A marijuana purchase went badly for Pignataro, who was reportedly given $64,000 to fly to California for said purchase.

Related

• Waterford, New London Men Arrested In 2011 Home Invasion, Kidnapping, Assault Case

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The money was seized by Drug Enforcement Administration agents at the airport, however. Hamler reportedly wanted to exact retribution against Pignataro and concocted a scheme in which a home invasion would occur at his former partner’s place of residence, located at 64 Cross Lane.

Three men — Jared K. Hastings, Reginald E. Green and Benjamin Stavens — allegedly conducted the home invasion, assaulted Pignataro and forced his girlfriend into a closet after typing her up.

Hamler’s sentencing will take place on Feb. 17, 2016. He received a sentence of three years in prison and seven years of special parole, on the following:

• Conspiracy to commit assault in the second degree
• Conspiracy to commit burglary in the first degree

Click here to read the full report from The Day.

Photo Credit: Waterford Police Department