United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: DERBY MAN INDICTED ON FEDERAL FIREARMS AND NARCOTICS CHARGES

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that RICHARD SANCHEZ, age 27, formerly of 51 Fifth Street, Apartment 3, Derby, Connecticut, has been charged by a federal grand jury in Bridgeport in a three-count Indictment with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine, and as a felon in possession of a firearm.

On July 22, 2004, SANCHEZ was arrested on state firearms and narcotics charges after members of the Valley Street Crime Unit, which include officers from the Derby, Shelton, Seymour and Ansonia Police Departments, executed a search warrant at his home at 51 Fifth Street. SANCHEZ was released on a $100,000 bond. On September 2, 2004, SANCHEZ was arrested by federal authorities, including members of the Drug Enforcement Administration, working together with the Valley Street Crime Unit. According to the federal arrest warrant, which was unsealed today, SANCHEZ began selling crack cocaine out of his apartment shortly after being released on bond on the state charges. The Indictment further alleges that the quantity of crack cocaine possessed with the intent to distribute exceeded 150 grams, and that SANCHEZ possessed a firearm, which is identified as an Astra 9 millimeter, semi-automatic pistol, in connection with the crack cocaine offenses.

SANCHEZ has been detained in federal custody since his September 2, 2004 arrest. At his initial presentment on September 2, 2004, United States Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel ordered SANCHEZ detained in response to the Government's motion for pretrial detention.

If SANCHEZ is convicted of the crack cocaine offenses, he faces a maximum term of life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum term of ten years of incarceration, and a maximum fine of $4 million on each count. If SANCHEZ is convicted of the felon in possession of a firearm offense, he faces a maximum term of ten years of incarceration and a maximum fine of $250,000.

"This Office's commitment to removing unlawfully possessed firearms from our streets and to prosecuting the most dangerous and violent offenders in our communities is not limited to our largest cities, but to all of our towns and cities where there is a need to address gun crime and gun violence," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated. "Through the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, and with seamless cooperation between this Office, the ATF, the DEA, the FBI, our local and state police departments, and our State's Attorneys, we are ensuring that those who possess firearms illegally will ultimately face severe consequences in federal court."

U.S. Attorney O'Connor stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial at which it is the Government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by members of the Valley Street Crime Unit, working together with members of the Drug Enforcement Administration in Bridgeport. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert M. Spector.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, and improving the safety of residents in Bridgeport and all of Connecticut's cities. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. More information on the nationwide Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative can be found at www.psn.gov.

CONTACT:

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