A Waterbury resident has pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Malik Wright, 22, entered his plea on August 5 in New Haven.
Court documents and statements indicate that in July and August 2024, Waterbury Police conducted a controlled purchase of narcotics from Wright and observed him making additional hand-to-hand drug sales. On August 29, 2024, investigators watched as Wright hid a satchel near Coe Street and High Street before conducting another apparent drug sale. Officers arrested Wright and recovered the satchel, which contained fentanyl, cocaine, a scale, and a loaded .40 caliber handgun with a 23-round magazine.
Wright is scheduled to be sentenced on November 19. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and could receive up to life imprisonment. He has been detained since his arrest.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Waterbury Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha Freismuth is prosecuting the case under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together law enforcement agencies at all levels with communities to reduce gun violence and other violent crime. More information about PSN can be found at www.justice.gov/psn.
