United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Federal Drug "Demand Reduction" Initiative: MAN SENTENCED FOR ATTEMPTING TO PURCHASE HEROIN

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RONDY MURPHY, age 40, previously of Greenwich, Connecticut, and now residing on Pacific Street in Stamford, was sentenced today on his previously entered plea of guilty to attempted possession of heroin. Sentence was imposed by United States Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in federal court in Bridgeport. MURPHY was sentenced to two years probation, during which he must continue with drug treatment and drug counseling at his own expense, and was fined $1,000 in addition to being ordered to pay the costs of investigation and prosecution in the sum of $500.

U.S. Attorney O'Connor explained that MURPHY was arrested on January 30, 2004, when he attempted to purchase heroin from an officer of the Stamford Police Department acting in an undercover capacity. Following his arrest, MURPHY told arresting officers that he thought he was negotiating the purchase of heroin from a person from whom he had been purchasing two bags of heroin every other day for the previous six months.

Less than two weeks after his arrest, on February 12, 2004, MURPHY appeared before Judge Fitzsimmons and entered a plea of guilty to the federal charge of attempted possession of heroin. MURPHY's plea was entered pursuant to a plea agreement with the Government wherein he agreed, among other things, to pay the costs of investigation and prosecution in the sum of $500 and agreed to donate the money he was going to use to buy the drugs on January 30, 2004, to the Stamford Police Athletic League.

During the sentencing proceeding, MURPHY apologized to the Court and the prosecution for his past behavior and noted that he has been drug free since the date of his arrest. MURPHY described his arrest as "falling out of the tree" and a "wake-up call" that has caused him to turn his life around. MURPHY and his lawyer told the Court that he has not missed a single appointment with drug counselors since the date of his arrest, he has found employment and has re-connected with family members and friends that are helping him to overcome his past addiction.

"Federal law enforcement authorities have long focused their attention on those who sell drugs," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated. "However, sufficient effort has not been expended on addressing those who make the market for the dealers. While dealers are convicted and sent away for decades, drug buyers often remain unprosecuted and unpunished. This prosecution and others like it should send a message to those who may be inclined to buy and possess drugs – the risks are simply not worth it."

Stamford Chief of Police Louis DiCarlo added, "Drug purchasers should be forewarned that there will be serious consequences if they are caught buying drugs in Stamford: Don't create the market for drugs here and bring all the attendant ills of drug trafficking into our City."

U.S. Attorney O'Connor further expressed his hope that "this prosecution will encourage others who have drug habits or drug problems to seek counseling and help for their addiction before they find themselves in federal custody and enmeshed in the criminal justice system with a resulting arrest and conviction record."

This case was investigated by the Stamford Police Department with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James I. Glasser.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov