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Omar Bahamonde, also known as “Dirk,” was sentenced Tuesday by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut Deirdre M. Daly said. After 84 months in prison, he will serve five years of supervised release.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2012, the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, Bridgeport Police Department and Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force began an investigation into narcotics trafficking and violent criminal activity in and around the Trumbull Gardens housing complex in Bridgeport.
The investigation revealed that Ronell Hanks, also known as “Biz” and “Ace,” headed an organization that sold heroin and crack cocaine 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Bahamonde was Hanks’ associate, purchasing bulk heroin for resale, spotting surveillance and helping Hanks cook powder cocaine into crack cocaine base for distribution.
During the investigation, officials seized about one kilogram of heroin, one-half kilogram of crack cocaine, $100,000 in cash, three vehicles, jewelry, nine firearms, and more than 200 rounds of ammunition. One of the firearms was an assault-type rifle and four of the firearms were stolen.
On Dec. 18, 2013, a grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment charging Hanks, Bahamonde and 12 others with a variety of narcotics- and firearms-trafficking offenses.
Bahamonde has been detained since his arrest on Dec. 5, 2013. On Nov. 4, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. His criminal history includes multiple felony convictions, including a conviction for first-degree robbery.
This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, in coordination with the Bridgeport Police Department, the Trumbull Police Department and the Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Fairfield assisted in this investigation and prosecution.
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