A Waterbury resident has pleaded guilty in federal court to a firearm offense related to drug trafficking. According to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Malik Wright, 22, entered his plea on August 5 in New Haven.
Court records show that during July and August 2024, Waterbury Police made a controlled narcotics purchase from Wright and witnessed him making additional hand-to-hand drug sales. On August 29, investigators observed Wright placing a satchel near an abandoned car in a vacant lot by Coe Street and High Street before conducting another apparent drug sale. Officers arrested Wright and found the satchel containing fentanyl, cocaine, a scale, and a loaded .40 caliber handgun with a 23-round magazine.
At sentencing, scheduled for November 19, Wright faces a mandatory minimum prison term of five years and could receive up to life imprisonment. He has been detained since his arrest.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Waterbury Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha Freismuth is prosecuting the case under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which brings together law enforcement agencies and community members to address gun violence and violent crime. More information about PSN is available at www.justice.gov/psn.
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