Hartford Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Narcotics Distribution and Firearm Possession Offenses

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that DYZHAE RICHARDSON, 23, of Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in July 2019, after a spate of gun violence in Hartford, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force, DEA, Hartford Police Department and other law enforcement agencies initiated an investigation targeting gang-related drug distribution and associated violence in north Hartford.  During the investigation, investigators made two controlled purchases of heroin/fentanyl from Richardson in August and September 2019.

Richardson was arrested on September 13, 2019.  On that date, a court-authorized search of his residence revealed a loaded Taurus G2C 9mm handgun, additional loose rounds of 9mm ammunition, approximately 100 wax folds of heroin, a quantity of crack cocaine and approximately $2,500 in cash.  A search of Richardson’s person also revealed approximately $1,000 in cash.

Richardson has been detained since his arrest.

Richardson’s criminal history includes felony convictions for narcotics and weapon offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Richardson pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack”), which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for April 14, 2020.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.