A Bridgeville man was sentenced on Mar. 19 to 96 months in prison for trafficking more than 10 kilograms of cocaine and possessing a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Hall handed down the sentence.
The case centers on Terry Hammond, age 31, who was stopped by Bridgeville Police on March 8, 2024, while driving an improperly registered Chevrolet Silverado. During the stop, a police dog detected drugs in the vehicle. When officers attempted to search the car, Hammond resisted arrest but was ultimately detained. The search uncovered about 10.5 kilograms of cocaine packaged in bricks, a loaded semiautomatic pistol, ammunition, a digital scale, and nearly $16,000 in cash.
Less than two months later and while out on state pretrial release, Hammond was arrested again by Delaware State Police after fleeing on foot. Authorities recovered nearly $3,000 from him personally and found another $27,000 in cash along with over 100 grams of cocaine and approximately 117 bags of suspected fentanyl nearby.
Hammond pleaded guilty on November 5, 2025 to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
“Terry Hammond demonstrated a blatant disregard for the safety of our community and the rule of law,” said U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace. “He transported over 10 kilograms of cocaine—a wholesale quantity—alongside a loaded firearm. He resisted arrest when he was caught the first time. And when he was caught the second time—reoffending while on pretrial release—he ran from the police. My office will continue to work relentlessly alongside our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who bring illegal guns and deadly drugs into Delaware.”
Special Agent in Charge Eric McLoughlin said: “Yesterday’s sentence ensures that Terry Hammond is held fully accountable for continuing to endanger our communities through armed drug trafficking, even after being granted pretrial release… HSI, together with the Bridgeville Police Department, Delaware State Police, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, will continue to aggressively pursue those who bring narcotics and gun violence into Delaware neighborhoods and ensure they face the full consequences of their actions.”
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations and Bridgeville Police Department.
