Stamford Drug Dealer Is Sentenced to 5 1/2 Years in Jail

A Stamford man who pleaded guilty to a federal charge of possessing crack cocaine as part of a county-wide distribution ring has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison.

Connecticut United States Attorney Deirdre M. Daly announced the sentencing for Eddie Hammett, 50, of Stamford. Hammett was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a southwestern Connecticut narcotics trafficking ring. 

Hammett's sentencing is the culmination of a six-month investigation spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Stamford Police Department’s Narcotics and Organized Crime Squad. The investigation resulted in 20 suspects charged with various federal offenses related to the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine in Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford. Officers seized more than $100,000 in cash, 500 grams of cocaine, 350 grams of crack cocaine, several vehicles and jewelry.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the investigation revealed that Marvin Wooten, also known as “Smash,” of Norwalk, was operating a significant crack cocaine distribution ring in Fairfield County. Between September 2012 and January 2013, Wooten regularly purchased multi-hundred gram quantities of cocaine from various sources of supply, including individuals who were selling cocaine out of a Bridgeport barbershop.  He then converted the cocaine to crack cocaine and distributed it to other dealers and customers.

According to Daly's office, Hammett, a trusted friend of Wooten’s, was intercepted over a court-authorized wiretap ordering large quantities of crack from Wooten.  He then distributed the crack to other dealers and to his own customers.

Hammett's criminal history dates to 1987 and includes about 19 misdemeanor and felony convictions. He was on special parole with the State of Connecticut at the time of this offense.

On Sept. 4, 2013, Hammett pleaded guilty to one count of possession with the intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

Wooten also pleaded guilty and, on May 22, 2013, was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment.

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force – including the Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk, Milford, Westport, and Stratford Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police – and the Stamford Police Department’s Narcotics and Organized Crime Squad.  The U.S. Marshals Service also assisted in the arrests of several of the defendants.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Karwan and Robert Spector.