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Press Release

Bridgeport Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Cocaine

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Connecticut

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MOYAN FORBES, 23, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.

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.  FORBES supplied Hanks with cocaine, which Hanks “cooked” into crack.

During the course of the investigation, investigators seized approximately one kilogram of heroin, one-half kilogram of crack cocaine, approximately $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.

FORBES was arrested on December 5, 2013.  On that date, a search of his residence revealed a Beretta handgun in the kitchen next to a loaded magazine.  Investigators also seized approximately $1,000 from FORBES’s pants pocket, as well as one round of ammunition that matched the ammunition in the seized firearm.

On December 18, 2013, a grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment charging Hanks, FORBES and 12 other individuals with a variety of narcotics and firearms trafficking offenses.

FORBES has been detained since his arrest.  On August 14, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine.

Hanks pleaded guilty and, on February 25, 2015, was sentenced to 17 years of imprisonment.

This matter is being 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 are assisting this investigation and prosecution.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracy Lee Dayton and Rahul Kale.

Updated May 27, 2015