Marc H. Silverman, the Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, has announced that Christopher Dancy, a 35-year-old resident of Hartford, has pleaded guilty to federal drug and firearm offenses. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford.
Court documents and statements indicate that Dancy was arrested on August 18, 2022, for violating his state parole. During a search of the apartment where he was staying, authorities found a loaded Glock model 45, 9mm pistol, approximately 20 grams of fentanyl mixed with xylazine, and items used for processing and packaging narcotics.
On May 3, 2023, Hartford Police officers observed Dancy engaging in suspected drug activity near Albany Avenue and Edgewood Street. They seized a car associated with him. Two days later, on May 5, a search of this vehicle uncovered a loaded Glock model 26, 9mm pistol. DNA testing linked this firearm to Dancy.
Dancy's criminal record includes previous state convictions related to drugs and firearms. Federal law prohibits individuals convicted of felony offenses from possessing firearms or ammunition that have traveled in interstate or foreign commerce.
Dancy admitted guilt to charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl—an offense carrying a maximum sentence of up to 20 years—and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon—which carries up to a maximum sentence of 15 years. No sentencing date has been set yet.
Since June 5, 2023, Dancy has been detained while awaiting further proceedings.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, and the Hartford Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Dearington is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at reducing violent crime through evidence-based programs. PSN involves collaboration among various stakeholders to address pressing violent crime issues within communities and develop comprehensive solutions targeting these problems effectively.
