Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Eric Herman, a 32-year-old resident of Bridgeport, has pleaded guilty to drug distribution and firearm possession charges. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven.
The case against Herman stemmed from investigations by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Stratford Police Department following two fatal fentanyl overdoses in 2021, which were believed to be linked to Herman. In May and June 2022, investigators conducted controlled purchases of fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine from Herman.
Herman was apprehended on September 15, 2022. At the time of his arrest, he had a distribution quantity of cocaine and a loaded 9mm ghost gun with a laser sight attached along with additional ammunition.
Herman's criminal record includes state felony convictions for drug and firearm offenses. Under federal law, it is illegal for individuals previously convicted of a felony to possess firearms or ammunition that have crossed state or national borders.
He admitted guilt to two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack), fentanyl, and heroin—each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years; one count related to cocaine distribution with the same potential penalty; and one count of unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon, which could result in up to 15 years imprisonment.
Since his arrest, Herman has been detained. He also pleaded guilty in state court to narcotics and manslaughter charges related to an overdose death investigation.
The DEA’s HIDTA Task Force comprises members from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, Connecticut State Police, as well as police departments from Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk, Stamford, and Stratford. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen L. Peck is prosecuting this case.
