Montel Caple, also known as “Forbes,” 30, of Bridgeport, has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for his role in a fentanyl trafficking operation in southwestern Connecticut. U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea handed down the sentence today in Hartford, which also includes three years of supervised release.
The sentencing follows an investigation initiated in 2022 by the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, which uncovered a narcotics ring led by Christian Pichardo. Investigators used court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases, seizing drugs that included fentanyl analogues, nitazines—synthetic opioids stronger than fentanyl—and xylazine, a large animal tranquilizer.
Caple was identified as a key distributor, receiving fentanyl from Pichardo to sell to his own customers, and occasionally supplying narcotics back to Pichardo. Caple was arrested on August 5, 2024, and pleaded guilty on December 11, 2025, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Caple, currently released on a $100,000 bond, is scheduled to report to prison on August 24. Pichardo, who also pleaded guilty to a related charge, was previously sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment on July 14, 2025. The case was a collaborative effort involving the FBI, DEA, and local police departments.