David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Eric Herman, 32, of Bridgeport, has been sentenced to 96 months in prison. U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden delivered the sentence in New Haven for drug distribution and firearm possession offenses.
The investigation into Herman began after two fatal fentanyl overdoses in 2021, which were believed to be connected to him. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Stratford Police Department conducted the investigation. In May and June 2022, investigators made controlled purchases of fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine from Herman.
Herman was arrested on September 15, 2022. At his arrest, he had a distribution quantity of cocaine and a loaded 9mm “ghost gun” with a laser sight attached along with additional ammunition.
Herman’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for drug and firearm offenses. Federal law prohibits individuals previously convicted of felonies from possessing firearms or ammunition that have moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Since his arrest, Herman has been detained. On March 24, 2025, he pleaded guilty to multiple charges including possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”), fentanyl, heroin; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; and unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon.
In state court, Herman also pleaded guilty to narcotics and manslaughter charges related to an overdose death investigation. He received a sentence of 20 years imprisonment suspended after eight years with five years probation. Judge Bolden ordered that Herman’s federal sentence run concurrently with his state sentence.
The DEA’s HIDTA Task Force comprises personnel from various police departments including those from Bridgeport Resident Office as well as Connecticut State Police among others involved in this case prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen L Peck.
