DRUG PLEAS

An FAA investigation of an airplane owned by a Milford man led to a 2017 bust of 400 pounds of marijuana at Sikorsky Airport and guilty pleas this month in a multi-million dollar marijuana trafficking operation, according to federal prosecutors.

Milford resident 61-year-old Donald Burns and two other state residents now face life in prison after pleading guilty to federal drug dealing charges.

U.S. Attorney John H. Durham said the investigation began in 2016 when the FAA began investigating a Piper single-engine aircraft owned by Burns, that was making regular flights between Stratford and northern California via the southwest United States.

“The investigation revealed that, over a period of approximately two years, members of the conspiracy earned millions of dollars by trafficking nearly two tons of marijuana from California to Connecticut,” Durham said. “(Ansonia resident 40-year-old Scott) Bodnar, (Beacon Falls resident 34-year-old Terrell) Givens and others also laundered approximately $6 million to purchase marijuana in California, pay for their travel to and from California, and pay Burns to transport the marijuana.”

Bodnar pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments May 2. Givens pleaded guilty to the same charges on May 3.

On Monday, Burns pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana.