A Derby resident, Andre Messam, also known as “Dre,” was sentenced to six years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine and cocaine. The sentencing took place before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport. In addition to the 72-month prison term, Messam will serve four years of supervised release.
According to information presented in court, the FBI’s Transnational Organized Crime Task Force conducted two controlled purchases from Messam in May and June 2023. These transactions involved about 80 grams of methamphetamine and five grams of cocaine. Laboratory tests confirmed that the methamphetamine was completely pure. Investigators later arranged a deal with Messam for a kilogram of cocaine.
On July 19, 2023, while traveling to meet for the planned cocaine transaction, Messam attempted to evade law enforcement officers who tried to stop his vehicle in North Haven. He was later arrested at a rental car agency on the Berlin Turnpike in Newington and had roughly $7,200 in cash at the time.
Two weeks after his arrest, surveillance footage showed Messam discarding an object from his car onto an entrance ramp to I-91 North. Investigators searched the area and recovered a kilogram brick of cocaine wrapped in cellophane.
Messam pleaded guilty on May 20, 2024, to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of five grams or more of methamphetamine.
His criminal record includes both state convictions and a previous federal conviction for heroin trafficking. In June 2011, he received a sentence of 105 months in Hartford federal court; this was reduced to 81 months in March 2015 following changes to federal sentencing guidelines.
Messam is currently out on a $250,000 bond and must report to prison by January 6. The investigation was led by the FBI’s Transnational Organized Crime Task Force with support from the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division as well as police departments from Brookfield and New Milford. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile prosecuted the case.
