East Hartford Man Charged with Narcotics Trafficking Offenses

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a five-count indictment charging BRANDON SPENCE, also known as "Spun," 36, of East Hartford, with fentanyl and cocaine trafficking offenses.

As alleged in court documents, in March and April 2024, the FBI's Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force made controlled purchases of fentanyl and crack cocaine from Spence. On April 3, 2024, a court-authorized search of Spence's residence and vehicles revealed distribution quantities of fentanyl.

The indictment, which was returned on April 16, charges Spence with three counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, controlled substances, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Each charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Spence appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He has been detained since his arrest on April 3, 2024.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the FBI's Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department. The Task Force includes members of the FBI, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shan Patel.