Derby Man Pleads Guilty in Federal Heroin Distribution Case: U.S. Attorney

DERBY, CT - A 20-year-old Derby man pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to a heroin distribution charge in connection with three area overdoses, one of which was fatal, according to United States Attorney Deirdre M. Daly.

Bradley Commerford waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of heroin to an individual who is under 21 years of age. The stems from an ongoing statewide initiative "targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users."

According to Daly, court documents and statements made in court:

The DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, Derby Police Department and Shelton Police Department have been investigating two non-fatal heroin overdoses that occurred in Shelton on February 16, 2016, and one fatal overdose that occurred in Derby on February 17, 2016. The Derby overdose resulted in the death of a 23-year-old male. The Shelton overdoses involved one individual who was 18 and another who was 22.

The investigation, which includes victim and witness interviews, as well as analysis of numerous text messages of the decedent’s phone, identified Commerford as the heroin source of supply in all three overdose cases. The investigation also revealed that Commerford sold heroin to a 16-year-old individual who did not overdose.

The charge of distribution of heroin to an individual who is under 21 years of age carries a mandatory minimum prison term of one year and a maximum of 40 years. Additionally, if convicted, also faces supervised release of no less than six years, and a fine of up to $2 million, according to Daly.

Commerford is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford on July 28, and he has been in custody since his arrest in mid-February.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Spector.

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