Bridgeport Man Sentenced To Federal Prison On Drug-Related Firearm Charge: U.S. Attorney

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A 42-year-old Bridgeport man was sentenced to five years in federal prison for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan announced this week.

Oronde Jefferson was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to 60 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

Jefferson was arrested on federal charges in May 2025, and he pleaded guilty in March of this year to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI's Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department learned in 2024 that Jefferson's associate, Moeties Brown, was selling narcotics near Brown's Maple Street residence in Bridgeport.

Investigators observed Jefferson and Brown at the residence on Nov. 20, 2024, along with others engaged in suspected drug sales, according to prosecutors. Jefferson was arrested on state charges after officers found 32 individual glassine folds of fentanyl, a zip-top bag containing 71 capsules of crack cocaine, and a loaded Glock 9 mm handgun with a loaded high-capacity magazine during a search, according to court documents.

Brown also was arrested after officers found what prosecutors described as a distribution quantity of marijuana on him. Searches of his vehicle and residence uncovered more than 100 grams of fentanyl, two handguns and ammunition, according to court documents.

According to prosecutors, Jefferson's criminal history includes convictions for robbery, firearms, burglary and larceny offenses.

Jefferson, who is free on a $100,000 bond, is scheduled to report to prison on Aug. 25.

Brown pleaded guilty in federal court on May 19, 2026, to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. He is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 5.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, the Bridgeport Police Department and the Stratford Police Department. The task force includes personnel from the FBI, Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Fairfield, Norwalk, Trumbull and Westport police departments.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary G. Vitale and Daniel George are prosecuting the case.

Federal prosecutors said the case is part of Operation Take Back America, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative.