Hartford Man Sentenced to 37 Months in Federal Prison for Marijuana Trafficking
| U.S. Attorney’s Office February 04, 2011 |
The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut today announced that AARON HIPPOLYTE, also known as “Eric Hippolyte” and “Hip,” 29, of Mansfield Street, Hartford, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his distributing marijuana.
This matter stems from “Operation Northern Strike,” a 15-month joint law enforcement investigation targeting alleged members and associates of geographically based street gangs engaging in criminal activity in Hartford’s Upper Albany and Northeast neighborhoods. The investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on multiple telephones, controlled purchases of narcotics, and physical surveillance. As a result of the investigation, 35 individuals were charged with various federal drug and firearms violations.
According to court documents and statements made in court, HIPPOLYTE conspired with others in the distribution of marijuana, using 133-135 Mansfield Street in Hartford as a point of distribution. The investigation revealed that HIPPOLYTE regularly acquired multiple pound quantities of marijuana from a source of supply, which he then sold in smaller quantities to his own customers from the Mansfield Street location.
On August 5, 2010, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at 133-135 Mansfield Street and recovered a small amount of marijuana in a room associated with HIPPOLYTE and approximately $6000 in U.S. currency from HIPPOLYTE’s person.
On November 17, 2010, HIPPOLYTE pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana.
HIPPOLYTE has been detained since his arrest on August 5, 2010.
Not all of the defendants charged as a result of this investigation are alleged to be gang members or associates.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force—which includes representatives of the FBI, Connecticut State Police, and Hartford Police Department—and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Geoffrey M. Stone.