United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Stamford Police Chief Timothy Shaw have announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport has returned a five-count indictment charging SAMUEL ELIE, 48, of Stamford, with narcotics distribution and ammunition possession offenses.

The indictment was returned on April 3, 2025.  Elie appeared in Hartford federal court and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  He has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on January 22, 2025.

It is alleged that law enforcement made three controlled purchases of fentanyl from Elie in December 2024 and January 2025.  On January 22, 2025, Elie possessed approximately 142 grams of fentanyl, approximately 212 grams of cocaine, and 50 rounds of ammunition.

It is further alleged that Elie’s criminal history includes felony convictions for firearm, drug, robbery, and other 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.

The indictment charges Elie with three counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count; one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years; and one count of unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.

Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Stamford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary G. Vitale.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.  Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).