Hamden Man Charged with Distributing Fentanyl

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned a four-count indictment charging DARRYL SMALL, 33, of Hamden, with fentanyl distribution offenses.

The indictment was returned on March 2.  Small has been detained since February 24 when he was arrested on a criminal complaint.

As alleged in court documents, the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force began investigating Small after receiving information that he was distributing heroin and fentanyl in and around New Haven.  In late 2020 and early 2021, investigators conducted multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl from Small.

The indictment charges Small with three counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.

The indictment also charges Small with one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, an offense that typically carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.  The indictment alleges that Small is eligible for an enhanced penalty on this charge because of a prior conviction for a serious violent felony, increasing the mandatory minimum term of imprisonment to 10 years and the maximum term of imprisonment of life.

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

The FBI Safe Streets Task Force includes officers from the New Haven Police Department, Milford Police Department, Hamden Police Department, East Haven Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Conor M. Reardon.