BLUMENTHAL STATEMENT ON GAO REPORTS ON COAST GUARD’S INADEQUATE EFFORTS TO ADDRESS SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the below statement following the release of two reports by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) efforts to implement reforms aimed at addressing sexual misconduct:

“I am deeply disappointed that USCG has dropped the ball on basic reporting requirements that would provide transparency about sexual misconduct in the Coast Guard. GAO’s findings reveal that the Coast Guard’s culture of coverup—exposed by my PSI investigation—continues to this day. While the Coast Guard has taken some steps to support survivors, it is clear more work needs to be done to adequately protect cadets and Coasties.”

In September 2023, as then-Chair of PSI, Blumenthal initiated an inquiry into the Coast Guard’s failure to disclose Operation Fouled Anchor, an internal Coast Guard investigation into the decades-long systemic mishandling of sexual misconduct at the Coast Guard Academy.

In December 2024, Blumenthal released a bipartisan interim staff report on the Coast Guard’s efforts to conceal Operation Fouled Anchor. The report, Coast Guard Efforts to Conceal the Operation Fouled Anchor Investigation from Congress and the Public, includes several newly released documents, among which is an email explaining that then-Commandant Admiral Schultz chose not to affirmatively disclose Operation Fouled Anchor to either Congress or the public based on the continuing nature of the investigation.

In the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2026, Blumenthal championed numerous provisions to protect survivors of misconduct and hold perpetrators and those who enabled them accountable. At the request of Blumenthal, the following provisions were included in the NDAA for FY26:

  • Requiring the Coast Guard to maintain, for at least 50 years, evidence of sexual misconduct and sexual assault reporting forms, as well as affirming survivors’ rights to access records related to their investigations;
  • Requiring a record of a complaint of misconduct to be placed in the non-restricted record of any service member who was convicted by courts martial, punished administratively, or a recipient of non-judicial punishment for the misconduct, regardless of grade;
  • Permits a Board of Review to review and downgrade the discharge status of anyone who was found by clear and convincing evidence to have committed sexual assault or harassment while on active duty;
  • Permits reopening of retired grade determinations for members who knew of and failed to report misconduct in their command or who failed to carry out applicable law; and
  • Requires the Coast Guard to annually report instances of misconduct at the Academy and detail plans to reduce and prevent such misconduct for the next year.

Brooklyn Man Arrested in Illegal Cannabis Sales Investigation at Westport Smoke Shop

The Westport Police Department announced the arrest of Mohemed Hedimy, 25, of Brooklyn, New York, in connection with an investigation into illegal marijuana sales at Savvy Smoker, located at 940 Post Road East in Westport. The investigation began in March 2025 following multiple complaints regarding unlawful cannabis sales at the business.

On April 8, 2025, Westport Police, assisted by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Drug Control Division, executed a search and seizure warrant at the location, recovering various illegal marijuana and THC-containing products. Based on the evidence seized, an arrest warrant was issued for Hedimy, a sales associate at the store. On January 12, 2026, Stamford Police Department notified Westport Police that Hedimy was in their custody on the active warrant. He was transported to Westport Police Headquarters, charged with Illegal Sale/Manufacture of Cannabis, and held on a court-set bond of $150,000. Hedimy was unable to post bond and was transported to Stamford Superior Court for arraignment on January 13, 2026.

Town of Fairfield Announces New Indoor Sidewalk Sale

Fairfield, CT – The Town of Fairfield’s Office of Community & Economic Development is excited to announce a new shopping event, the Indoor Sidewalk Sale, which will take place on Saturday, January 24th from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Fairfield University Store’s Second Story at 1499 Post Road.

This will be a one-stop shop for some of your favorite Fairfield stores all in one spot.

Participating merchants include Apricot Lane Boutique, Bailey Jaymes Boutique, Ciao Bella, Coreen’s Bridge Floral Shop, Jane + Mercer, Lexington Home & Garden, Olive My Stuff, Team Woofgang & Co., The PEHT Shop, and The Two Oh Three.

Light bites and a cash bar will be available to event attendees. Parking is available on Post Road as well as in the parking garage in the rear of the Fairfield University Store.

Director of Community & Economic Development, Mark Barnhart, stated, “We’re excited to bring a new shopping experience to Fairfield this winter.” He continued, “We encourage folks to come out, support local, and shop some of your favorite Fairfield businesses all in one convenient location!”

For more information and to follow along with what’s happening in Town, be sure to check out @ExperienceFairfield on Facebook and Instagram and our website, www.experiencefairfieldct.org.

Shots Fired Investigation and Arrest

On January 15, 2026, at 1:12 PM, Norwalk Patrol Officers began investigating a report of a shots
fired inside of an apartment on East Wall Street.
Patrol officers spoke with the complainant, who reported that Christopher Bromfield had discharged
a firearm inside the apartment during the overnight hours. The investigation revealed that Bromfield
fired the weapon while the complainant and a one-year-old child were present inside the apartment,
in a separate bedroom.
Members of Norwalk Police Department Emergency Services Unit Tactical Response Team
responded to the apartment complex. Bromfield was located exiting the parking lot in his vehicle
and was taken into custody without incident. Officers recovered a .45 caliber semi-automatic
handgun from Bromfield’s possession, along with 37 rounds of ammunition located inside his
vehicle.
Norwalk Police Detectives subsequently applied for and were granted a search and seizure warrant
for the apartment by Stamford Superior Court. During the execution of the warrant, detectives
recovered and seized four magazines fully loaded with .223 caliber blank ammunition, a rifle, a
pellet rifle, and six boxes and an ammunition container containing various ammunition.
Bromfield was transported to Norwalk Police Headquarters, where he was processed.

Arrested: Christopher Bromfield, 30, of Norwalk, CT
Charges: Criminal possession of a firearm, risk of injury to a child, reckless endangerment in the
first degree, violation of protective order, carrying a pistol without a permit, four counts of illegal
possession of a large capacity magazine
Bond: $500,000
Court: January 29, 2026

Norwalk Police Tip Line: 203-854-3111

Anonymous Internet tips can be sent to Norwalk Police website at: www.norwalkpd.com
Anonymous text tips can be submitted by typing “NORWALKPD” into the text field, followed by the message, and sending it to TIP411 (847411)

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Two Arrested, Loaded Firearms and Crack Cocaine Seized in Bridgeport Traffic Stop

The Bridgeport Police Departments Narcotics and Vice Unit, along with the Patrol Division conduct motor vehicle stop on January 12, 2026, at approximately 19:05 hours, leading to Firearm Seizure and Narcotics Arrest.  

Bridgeport Tactical Narcotics Unit, along with the Patrol Division announce the successful arrest and seizure of Donovan Green of Bridgeport and Dante Archibald of Bridgeport, resulting from a motor vehicle stop in the area of Shelton St. and Park St.  

During the stop, Members of the Narcotics Division seized (2) loaded firearms and 1.7 grams of crack cocaine. 

The following items were recovered during Donovan Green’s arrest: 

·                     (1) Glock 43X 9mm firearm  

The following items were recovered during Dante Archibald’s arrest: 

·                     (1) Ruger .380 LCP firearm  

·                     1.7 grams of crack cocaine  

Donovan Green was charged with the following: 

·                     C.G.S. 29-35(a)(1) Carrying a Pistol w/o Permit 

·                     C.G.S. 29-36K Illegal Transfer of Firearm 

·                     C.G.S. 53a-212 Stealing a Firearm 

Bond Set at $ 100,000 

 Dante Archibald was charged with the following: 

·                     C.G.S. 29-36 Alteration of Firearm Identification 

·                     C.G.S.  53a-155 Tampering – Physical Evidence  

·                     C.G.S. 29-33 Illegal Transfer of Firearm 

·                     C.G.S. 53a-217 Criminal Possession of Firearm  

·                     C.G.S. 29-35(a)(1) Carrying Pistol w/o permit 

·                     C.G.S. 21a-278(b (1A Possession w/ Intent Narcotic Substance  

Bond Set at $150,000 

The Bridgeport Police Department remains committed to ensuring the safety of its residents.  

Anyone with information regarding illegal narcotics activity, is encouraged to contact the Bridgeport Police Narcotics Tip Line at (203) 576 – 7903. 

Bridgeport Man Arrested for Vandalizing Hanukkah Menorah at Park Avenue Synagogue

The Bridgeport Police have arrested a city man for vandalizing a Hanukkah menorah at a Park Ave. synagogue last month. Austin Smalls, 29, of Bridgeport, turned himself in on Tuesday night at police headquarters. There was a warrant for his arrest.

Smalls is charged with Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree and Disorderly Conduct. He was processed and released on a promise to appear in court.  He was ordered by the judge who signed the warrant to stay away from the synagogue.

Surveillance video from Congregation B’nai Isreal on Park Ave. shows Smalls arriving there in a vehicle registered to him at approximately 3:00 a.m. on December 24th, 2025. He then rocks the menorah back and forth numerous times until it topples over and crashes to the ground.

Hours later on 12/24/25, Smalls was arrested by Bridgeport Police in an unrelated incident several miles away. He was driving the same car and wearing the same clothing as seen in the surveillance video from the synagogue. Police had not yet been advised of the vandalism of the menorah at the time of that arrest.

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