Suspected Marijuana Traffickers Flew In And Out Of Stratford's Sikorsky Airport : U.S. Attorney

MILFORD, CT — A trio of suspected Connecticut marijuana traffickers were indicted in federal court Wednesday in connection with allegedly flying pot into the state and landing at Sikorsky Airport in Stratford, according to United States Attorney Deirdre M. Daly.

Indicted were Milford residents Robert Capelli, 31, and Donald Burns, 39, and Ansonia resident Scott "Pep" Bodnar, 38.

According to Daly and court documents, the Federal Aviation Administration began investigating a Piper single-engine aircraft in 2016, owned by Burns, "that was making regular flights between Stratford, Connecticut, and northern California via the southwest United States."

"On June 28, 2017, Burns flew the aircraft from northern California to Lubbock, Texas," wrote prosecutors in a statement. "On June 29, Burns flew the aircraft from Texas to Arkansas, and then to West Virginia and Connecticut, where he landed in the evening at Sikorsky Airport in Stratford. A law enforcement search of the plane revealed approximately 400 kilograms of marijuana in vacuum-sealed packages contained in a duffle bag. The investigation revealed that the marijuana was intended for Capelli and Bodnar. Later that day, agents conducted a controlled to delivery of the marijuana to Capelli and Bodnar at a location in Derby, where they were arrested."

Between 2015 and June 2017, Capelli, Bodnar and Burns allegedly "trafficked more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana from California to Connecticut."

The three were indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, an offense that carries a minimum of 10 years in prison, and a maximum life sentence.

Additionally, the three were also indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana on board an aircraft registered in the U.S., and one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. Both offenses carry a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years for each count.

Capelli, Bodnar and Burns were initially charged by criminal complaint and are released on bond.

U.S. Attorney Daly stressed "that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration’s Law Enforcement Assistance Program (LEAP), and the Stratford, Bridgeport and Derby Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.

Patch file photo