Stamford Man Found Guilty of Federal Drug Distribution Charges

A federal jury in Hartford found a Stamford man guilty of federal crack cocaine distribution charges Tuesday afternoon following a four-day trial.

According to a statement released by Thomas Carson, U.S. attorney for the District of Connecticut, Charles Handy, 43, of Sherman Avenue, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base (“crack cocaine”) and two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.

Handy's arrest was the result of “Operation Hammertime,” a four-month long DEA Task Force wiretap investigation that targeted a drug trafficking operation run by Gavin Hammett out of the Roodner Court housing complex in Norwalk. Twenty people have since been charged with various narcotics and firearms offenses related to the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine in the greater Norwalk and Stamford area. 

More than one kilogram of cocaine, over 200 grams of crack cocaine, multiple bundles of heroin, over $100,000 in cash, seven vehicles and two firearms were seized during the investigation.

Evidence revealed that, on a regular basis, Handy purchased between 28 and 40 grams of cocaine from Hammett for $50 per gram, which he then sold to his own customers for $100 per gram. Stamford police found Handy in possession of $1,500 when they arrested him on June 17, 2010.

Handy, who has been detained since his arrest, is scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on July 1. He faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. Hammett has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

The DEA Task Force that investigated the case included Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk and Stratford Police Departments as well as the Connecticut State Police.