A federal grand jury in New Haven has indicted Harry Whitley, 22, on charges related to drug distribution and firearm possession. The announcement was made by Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, alongside James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Boston Field Division, New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson, and Connecticut State Police Colonel Daniel Loughman.
The indictment was returned on March 12, 2025. Whitley appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and entered a plea of not guilty. He has been detained since his arrest on November 4, 2024, on related state charges.
Court documents and statements allege that Whitley was involved in a suspected drug transaction in New Haven while he had an active state arrest warrant and was on probation. He was subsequently arrested in Waterbury with fentanyl, cocaine, oxycodone, a Glock 17 9mm semiautomatic pistol with an extended magazine, and a Glock-style machine gun conversion device known as a "Glock switch."
Whitley's criminal history reportedly includes state felony convictions for firearm possession and larceny offenses. Federal law prohibits individuals previously convicted of a felony from possessing firearms or ammunition that have moved through interstate or foreign commerce.
The indictment charges Whitley with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and oxycodone—an offense carrying a maximum prison term of 20 years; unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon—carrying up to 15 years; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking—a charge that mandates at least five consecutive years in prison.
Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman emphasized that "an indictment is not evidence of guilt," adding that charges are allegations only and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the New Haven Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Lembo and Nathan Guevremont are prosecuting the case.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
