Stamford man gets 9 years in federal prison for dealing fentanyl and cocaine
Stamford, CT – A 49-year-old Stamford man was sentenced Thursday to more than nine years in federal prison after authorities caught him selling fentanyl, crack cocaine, and other narcotics from his home and vehicles.
Samuel Elie received a sentence of 108 months behind bars followed by five years of supervised release. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford.
According to federal prosecutors, an investigation began in November 2024 after Stamford Police received information that Elie was distributing narcotics throughout the area. Over the following weeks, undercover officers conducted three controlled buys of fentanyl from Elie.
Elie was arrested on January 22, 2025, on state charges. A search of his home that same day turned up a substantial drug stash, including approximately 152 grams of fentanyl, 215 grams of crack cocaine, 91 grams of powder cocaine, eight grams of methamphetamine, a gun magazine, and 50 rounds of assorted ammunition.
Elie has a criminal history that includes prior felony convictions for firearms, drugs, and robbery. He has remained in custody since his arrest and pleaded guilty on September 29, 2025, to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Stamford Police and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary G. Vitale. It falls under Operation Take Back America, a federal initiative targeting drug cartels and violent crime nationwide.
Key Points
- Stamford man sentenced to 108 months in federal prison for trafficking fentanyl and cocaine
- Investigators found large quantities of narcotics and ammunition in his home
- Elie pleaded guilty in September and has been detained since his January 2025 arrest
