Stratford Man Sentenced to 37 Months in Federal Prison for Distributing Heroin, Possessing Destructive Devices

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the summer of 2017, members of the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and Bridgeport Police Department began investigating individuals who were distributing narcotics in and around Bridgeport.  The investigation has included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics, physical and video surveillance, and the execution of multiple search and seizure warrants.  The investigation revealed that Antonio Small, Evan Sheffield, Louis McDowell, Christopher Rodriguez, Anthony Small and others were distributing large quantities of heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine.  The investigation further revealed that the co-conspirators were using Sheffield’s residence on Poplar Street in Bridgeport to store, process and package narcotics for street sale, and that they kept a firearm at his residence.  Papcun regularly received distribution quantities of heroin and fentanyl from Small and others and sold the drug to his own customers.

Papcun was arrested on November 6, 2018.  On that date, a search of a safe in Papcun’s residence revealed narcotics, items used to process and package drugs for street sale, and two destructive devices.

On January 9, 2020, Papcun pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, heroin, and one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device.

Papcun, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on January 7, 2021.

Antonio Small, Sheffield, McDowell, Rodriguez and Anthony Small have pleaded guilty.  On October 27, 2020, Judge Thompson sentenced Sheffield to 97 months of imprisonment.  Antonio Small, McDowell, Rodriguez and Anthony Small await sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department, as well as the DEA, Connecticut State Police, and the Stratford, Norwalk, Seymour and Trumbull Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck and Patrick J. Doherty.