Hamden Man Indicted On Federal Gun, Drug Charges

HAMDEN, CT — A Hamden man has been indicted on federal firearm and narcotics charges, according to authorities. A federal grand jury in Hartford has returned a four-count indictment charging Clemente Holmes, also known as “Cavali” and “Vali,” 29, of Hamden, with firearm and narcotics offenses, U.S. States Attorney for Connecticut John H. Durham announced on Wednesday. The indictment was returned on March 28.

Holmes appeared in federal court in Bridgeport Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is accused of selling drugs to undercover law enforcement agencies on two occasions in January. Investigators conducted a court-authorized search of Holmes’ home on Goodrich Street on Jan. 22 and seized “distribution quantities of fentanyl, heroin and crack cocaine, as well as a loaded 9mm handgun,” according to officials. He was arrested on state charges on that date.

“In February 2019, investigators made a controlled purchase of crack cocaine from Holmes, who had posted bond after his state arrest,” according to a news release from the U.S. States Attorney’s Office. “Holmes was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on February 26, 2019. At the time of Holmes’ arrest, a search of his residence revealed more heroin packaged for distribution. It is further alleged that, in 2012, Holmes was convicted in state court of sale of narcotics and possession pistol without a permit.”

The indictment charges Holmes with one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years; one count of possession of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack”) with intent to distribute, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; one count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, an offense that carries maximum term of life imprisonment, according to the release.

Holmes has been detained since his federal arrest.