Hamden Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Drug Distribution and Money Laundering Offenses

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WAYNE BRADBURY, 33, of Hamden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by six years of supervised release, for drug distribution and money laundering offenses.

This matter stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 3, 2016, a 22-year-old male purchased 30 40-milligram oxycodone pills from Tahir Farid in exchange for $900.  On January 5, 2016, after consuming some of those pills, as well as other substances, the victim was found unresponsive at a friend’s residence in Weston.  He remains in a coma with no brain activity and, according to medical personnel, is in a “persistent vegetative state.”

The investigation revealed that, prior to the victim’s overdose, BRADBURY supplied oxycodone pills and marijuana to 19-year-old Ryan Looney who sold the oxycodone pills to Farid, who then distributed a portion of them to the 22-year-old victim.  According to investigators, BRADBURY had been supplying Looney with drugs on credit and had Looney repay him by depositing cash into BRADBURY’s back account.  BRADBURY then withdrew the cash at ATMs to pay his drug supplier.

On July 18, 2017, BRADBURY pleaded guilty to one count of distributing oxycodone and marijuana to an individual under 21 years of age, and one count of money laundering.

Judge Chatigny ordered BRADBURY to begin serving this federal sentence after he completes a state sentence for unrelated firearm offenses.

Farid and Looney, both of Hamden, each previously pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, oxycodone.  On November 30, 2016, Farid was sentenced to six months of imprisonment.  Looney awaits sentencing. 

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, U.S. Marshals Service, Weston Police Department and Monroe Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Clark.