Bridgeport man sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for distributing heroin

BRIDGEPORT, CT – John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that, DEWAYNE JOYNER, also known as “Weezy,” 36, of Bridgeport, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 180 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing heroin.

According to the evidence presented during a trial earlier this year, during the summer of 2017, members of the ATF, DEA and Bridgeport Police Department, who were investigating narcotics trafficking in Bridgeport’s East End neighborhood, learned that Joyner was selling heroin. In September 2017, investigators conducted controlled purchases of heroin from Joyner. The investigation revealed that Joyner was staying at a hotel in Bridgeport, and was storing narcotics in his hotel room.

The investigation subsequently revealed that Joyner and others had stolen a large quantity of heroin during an armed home-invasion robbery on September 2, 2017. Joyner discharged two rounds from a handgun during the robbery.

Joyner was arrested on September 12, 2017. At the time of his arrest, a search of his person revealed a quantity of heroin, $1,326 in cash, four cellphones and his hotel room key. A search of the hotel room revealed more than 250 grams of heroin and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale.

On January 31, 2020, a jury found Joyner guilty of one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, one count of possession with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, a quantity of heroin.

Joyner has been detained since his arrest.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department. The DEA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA, Connecticut State Police and Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford, Bridgeport and Trumbull Police Departments.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.