'Person of Interest' in Darien Cop Killing Indicted on Federal Drug Charges

A person of interest in a Darien cop killing has been indicted on unrelated charges for narcotic offenses.

Anthony Sabato, 57, of West Haven was charged with an 11-count indictment from a federal grand jury on Tuesday.

Sabato was named a person of interest in a 1981 shooting death of Darien Officer Kenneth Bateman. He was named as a person of interest in 2004.

Sabato and alleged conspirator Miguel Roman, 25, of Hartford allegedly sold crack cocaine to an undercover officer between January and March 2015 and negotiated the purchase of a handgun from the undercover officer. They also allegedly arranged to sell two ounces of crack cocaine at a price of $2,000 per ounce, according to the U.S. Attorney District of Connecticut office.

Both men were arrested on March 24.

Both men are charged with conspiracy distribute and possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine. The charge comes with a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison.

Both are also charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack, and four counts of possession with intent to distribute crack.

Sabato is also charged with maintaining a drug-involved premises within 1,000 feet of a school, an offense that carries a maximum term of 20 years imprisonment.