Hartford Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Narcotics Distribution and Firearm Possession Offenses

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DYZHAE RICHARDSON, 23, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the court proceeding occurred via videoconference.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in July 2019, after a spate of gun violence in Hartford, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, DEA, Hartford Police Department and other law enforcement agencies initiated an investigation targeting gang-related drug distribution and associated violence in north Hartford.  During the investigation, investigators made two controlled purchases of heroin/fentanyl from Richardson in August and September 2019.  Richardson was on state probation at the time of these drug sales.

Richardson was arrested on September 13, 2019.  On that date, a court-authorized search of his residence revealed a loaded Taurus G2C 9mm handgun, additional loose rounds of 9mm ammunition, approximately 100 wax folds of heroin, a quantity of crack cocaine and approximately $2,500 in cash.  A search of Richardson’s person also revealed approximately $1,000 in cash.

Richardson’s criminal history includes felony convictions for narcotics and firearm possession offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Richardson has been detained since his arrest.  On January 21, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack”), and one count possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.