Grand Jury Indicts Five in Fourth of July Hamden Homicide, Explosion Case

A grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment Thursday, charging five West Haven residents with federal offenses stemming from the investigation of the Fourth of July explosion/homicide that occurred in Hamden.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI announced the indictment on Friday.

According to allegations contained in court documents, an explosion took place on Wintergreen Avenue in Hamden at about 11 a.m. on the Fourth of July.

• Related: Authorities Make Fifth Arrest in Fourth of July Hamden Homicide, Explosion Case

Responding law enforcement located a deceased white male, who had been wrapped in plastic garbage bag material and bound by rope material, in a wooded area close to where the explosion had occurred.

An explosive-type device and debris were also located in close proximity to the body, according to a press release from Daly’s office.

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The victim, who was later identified as the 39-year-old Edward Brooks, sustained three apparent gunshot wounds.

Investigators executed a search-and-seizure warrant at 59 Front Avenue after learning that Brooks had been residing with Christopher Miller, 40, at the home and that Miller and the other residents were subjects of an ongoing narcotics investigation.

Investigators seized numerous items, including pipe bomb making materials that were consistent with the materials found at the Wintergreen Avenue explosion scene, approximately 16 grams of cocaine base (“crack cocaine), approximately 10.6 grams of methamphetamine and narcotics packaging material.

Investigators also seized a surveillance DVR, which captured video surveillance from eight cameras placed around the residence.

The indictment charges Christopher Miller, Deborah Miller, 59, Natali Martinez, 29, James Bryant, 64, and Maurice Wearing, 26, with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

The indictment also charges Christopher Miller with possession of an explosive by a convicted felon.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and the charge of possession of an explosive by a convicted felon carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

The five defendants are currently detained and face related state charges.

In addition to the federal charges, Miller was charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree hindering prosecution, interfering with an officer, criminal use of a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, criminal use of a firearm during the commission of a Class A, B, or C Felony, tampering with evidence and three counts of risk of injury to a minor.

Wearing was arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence.

Bryant, 64, was charged with second-degree hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence.

Martinez-Sanchez, 29, was charged with second-degree hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence.