Joint Law Enforcement Operation Takes Down Alleged New Haven Drug Ring
Thirty-Seven Charged in Federal Court with Distributing Crack and Powder Cocaine

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Kimberly K. Mertz, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Steven W. Derr, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Frank Limon, Chief of the New Haven Police Department; and Thomas J. Wydra, Chief of the Hamden Police Department, announced that 21 individuals were arrested today on various federal narcotics distribution charges related to a large-scale cocaine and crack cocaine trafficking organization based in the Newhallville sections of New Haven and Hamden and operating throughout the New Haven area. On November 10, a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven returned a 20-count indictment charging a total of 37 individuals.

The indictment and today’s arrests are the culmination of an 11-month joint investigation conducted by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, the DEA New Haven Task Force, the New Haven Police Department and the Hamden Police Department. The investigation was funded in significant part by the United States Attorney’s Office Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and supported by the Office’s Project Safe Neighborhoods and Anti-Gang programs.

According to statements made in court during the initial presentments of many of the defendants, the investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps. Through the wiretaps, investigating officers identified and dismantled a large drug-trafficking organization, allegedly headed by JOSEPH JACKSON, which was centered in the Newhallville section of New Haven and Hamden. The organization is alleged to have distributed crack cocaine and cocaine throughout the Greater New Haven area.

“We are all too familiar with the destructive effects of drug trafficking in our cities, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to break up drug trafficking gangs and prosecute those involved in order to improve the quality of life in the communities where they operated,” stated U.S. Attorney Fein.

In association with the arrest of the defendants, law enforcement officers seized approximately one kilogram of cocaine, more than 150 grams of crack cocaine, approximately $75,000 in cash, six vehicles, two motorcycles, and two firearms.

“This indictment and today’s arrests are an example of the cooperative effort of law enforcement in Connecticut,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Mertz. “This group is alleged to be responsible for the distribution of large quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine in our community and the FBI New Haven’s Safe Street Task Force will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to combat gang activity in the Greater New Haven area.”

“This investigation is once again a great example of cooperative law enforcement between federal, state, and local law enforcement targeting an alleged violent drug trafficking organization,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Derr. “The DEA will continue to target the most significant drug traffickers, with the intent of making our communities safer.”

“Today’s round-up represents a collaboration between federal and local law enforcement agencies working together to keep our community safe,” stated New Haven Police Chief Limon. “We are pleased that the U.S. Attorney’s office has charged a number of people with narcotics violations. Through our partnerships we will continue to address drugs, gangs, and gun violence as a top priority.”

“During the last year, the Hamden Police Department has partnered with our colleagues in the New Haven Police Department, DEA, FBI, and the United States Attorney’s office in a joint effort to bring to justice individuals who are alleged to have operated a drug enterprise in the Newhallville and Highwood areas of New Haven and Hamden,” stated Hamden Police Chief Wydra. “After dedicating considerable resources to this operation, I am gratified that the outstanding work performed by all of the law enforcement personnel involved has resulted in the federal charges announced today. Our citizens should be proud and appreciative of these efforts and results.”

Charged in the indictment with various counts related to the distribution of narcotics are the following individuals:

JOSEPH JACKSON, a.k.a. “Mighty” and “M.I.,” 34, of Winchester Ave., New Haven;
JAYQUIS BROCK, a.k.a. “Pooka” and “Pook,” 18, of Newhall St., New Haven;
MARK BASKERVILLE, a.k.a. “Munson,” 50, of Munson St. New Haven;
RUSSELL BATTLES, a.k.a. “Cuddy” and “Cuddy Russ,” 27, of Anthony St., New Haven;
STEPHANIE DAGOSTINO, 39, of Third Avenue, West Haven;
SHERROD DANIELS, a.k.a. “Hot Sauce,” 22, of Dixwell Ave., New Haven;
LARRY DEVORE, a.k.a. “L.D.,” 52, of Dickerman St., New Haven;
HARRY DIAZ, a.k.a. “Hottie” and “H,” 32, of English St., New Haven;
JAMES DICKERSON, 27, of Davenport St., New Haven;
STEVEN DICKS, a.k.a. “God,” 45, of West Division St., New Haven;
DERRON DOCKERY, a.k.a. “Day Day,” 21, of Ellsworth Ave., New Haven;
DEVANTE FORTUNE, a.k.a. “Will” and “Pooty,” 18, of Winchester Ave., New Haven;
MAURICE HILL, a.k.a. “Mo Digs,” 22, of Cherry Ann St., Hamden;
SHAMAINE HOBBY, 33, of Blue Cliff Terrace, New Haven;
EDMUND JACKSON, SR., a.k.a. “Eddie,” 54, incarcerated in state custody;
MILTON JOHNSON, a.k.a. “Tilt,” 22, of Waverly St., New Haven;
TORRENCE JONES, 32, of Franklin St., New Haven;
DEMETRIUS LITTLE, a.k.a. “Hap” and “Happy,” 38, of Haven St., New Haven;
KRISTIN LONGOBARDI, 30, of Foxon Blvd., East Haven;
WENDEL MCDUFFIE, a.k.a. “Win,” 31, of Norton St., New Haven;
RYAN MOORE, 21, of Sherman Pkwy., New Haven;
JAVON MOORNING, a.k.a “Lil Red,” 31, incarcerated in state custody;
GEMINI NAPOLEON, a.k.a. “G.I.,” “Poe” and “Gemi,” 30, of Newhall St., New Haven;
CHARLES NICHOLS, 44, of Shelton Ave., New Haven;
CHANEL SINCLAIR, 28, of Helen St., Hamden;
TYLAN THOMPSON, a.k.a. “Finner,” 19, of Dixwell Ave., New Haven;
BRANDON TOLSON, a.k.a. “Black,” 28, of Chapel St., New Haven;
ALVIN TOWNSEND, a.k.a. “Gurb,” 28, of West Division St., New Haven;
TYRONE WILLIAMS, 36, of Sherman St., New Haven; and
DARREN WINFREY, a.k.a. “D,” 21, of Shelton Ave., New Haven.

JOSEPH JACKSON, BROCK, DAGOSTINO, BATTLES, NAPOLEON, THOMPSON, and FORTUNE were arrested on federal criminal complaints between October 28 and November 1. MOORNING and EDMUND JACKSON are currently in state custody. The remaining defendants were arrested today. Seven defendants are still being sought.

JOSEPH JACKSON, BROCK, BATTLES, DAGOSTINO, FORTUNE, NAPOLEON, and THOMPSON are charged with conspiring to distribute more than 280 grams of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”). If convicted of this charge, each faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a maximum term of life imprisonment, and a fine of up to $4 million.

JOSEPH JACKSON, BROCK, DANIELS, DEVORE, DIAZ, DICKERSON, DICKS, DOCKERY, EDMUND JACKSON, SR., JOHNSON, LITTLE, MCDUFFIE, NICHOLS, TOLSON, TOWNSEND, WILLIAMS, and WINFREY, are charged with conspiring to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base. JOSEPH JACKSON also is charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base. If convicted of these charges, each of these defendants faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years, a maximum term of 40 years, and a fine of up to $2 million. The filing of a second-offender notice under the federal statute for having a prior felony drug conviction would double the mandatory minimum penalties.

JOSEPH JACKSON, BROCK, HILL, HOBBY, JONES, MOORE, and SINCLAIR are charged with conspiring to distribute a quantity of cocaine base, and DICKERSON, DOCKERY, MOORNING, NAPOLEON, TOLSON, and TOWNSEND, are charged with possession with intent to distribute and/or distribution of a quantity of cocaine base. If convicted of these charges, each of these defendants faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $1 million.

JOSEPH JACKSON, BATTLES, and DAGOSTINO are charged with conspiring to distribute more than 500 grams of powder cocaine. In addition, JACKSON is charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of powder cocaine. If convicted of these charges, each of these defendants faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years, a maximum term of 40 years, and a fine of up to $2 million. The filing of a second-offender notice under the federal statute for having a prior felony drug conviction would double the mandatory-minimum penalties.

JOSEPH JACKSON is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted of this charge, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,0000.

DAGOSTINO is charged with maintaining a drug involved premises at 280 Third Avenue, second floor, in West Haven. If convicted of this charge, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $500,000.

LONGOBARDI is charged with using a telephone to facilitate a narcotics trafficking felony. If convicted of this charge, each defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of four years and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that the charges are not evidence of guilt. The charges are only allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Haven Safe Streets Task Force (composed of members of members of the New Haven, Ansonia, Milford, and East Haven Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Department of Correction), the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force (composed of members of the New Haven, West Haven, Meriden, Ansonia, Hamden, and Branford Police Departments), along with substantial participation by members of the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments. The United States Marshals Service also assisted in today’s arrests.

This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher M. Mattei and Robert M. Spector.