WILMINGTON, Del. – A Bridgeville man was sentenced yesterday to 96 months in prison for trafficking over 10 kilograms of cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Hall imposed the sentence.According to court documents, Terry Hammond, 31, was pulled over by the Bridgeville Police Department on March 8, 2024, while driving an improperly registered Chevrolet Silverado.
During the traffic stop, a drug-sniffing dog detected the smell of drugs in the car. When officers attempted to search the car, Hammond forcibly resisted arrest. The search ultimately revealed approximately 10.5 kilograms of cocaine packaged in brick form, a loaded semiautomatic pistol, ammunition, a digital scale, and nearly $16,000 in cash.On May 7, 2024, less than two months after his initial arrest and while on state pretrial release, Hammond was arrested again by the Delaware State Police following a foot pursuit. Authorities recovered nearly $3,000 in cash from his person, as well as an additional $27,000 in currency, over 100 grams of cocaine, and roughly 117 bags of suspected fentanyl in the area where he had been spotted.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.”“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,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia Eric McLoughlin. “This case highlights the serious threat posed by drug traffickers who carry firearms, resist arrest, and persist in their crimes despite court oversight. 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 Bridgeville Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-55-JLH.###