Hartford Crack Distributor Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Federal Prison
| U.S. Attorney’s Office December 20, 2012 |
David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that Clinton Hill Weston, also known as “Ack,” 36, of Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 140 months of imprisonment for distributing crack cocaine in Hartford and a consecutive prison term of 12 months and one day for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a previous federal conviction. Weston also was ordered to serve seven years of supervised release after his release from prison.
This matter stems from Operation Vinefield, a joint law enforcement investigation headed by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force targeting narcotics trafficking and gang violence in Hartford’s North End. As a result of the nine-month investigation, 38 individuals were charged with various offenses related to the distribution of crack cocaine and the unlawful possession and dealing of firearms in and around Hartford.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Weston acquired kilogram or half-kilogram quantities of crack cocaine, which he then supplied in multi-ounce quantities to other individuals. Those individuals, in turn, supplied numerous street-level drug dealers, including gang members who were distributing crack cocaine in the Enfield Street area of Hartford.
On April 19, 2012, Weston was arrested at his residence on Spring Street in Hartford. A search of the residence revealed approximately $52,000 in cash, scales, narcotics packaging material, and multiple wireless telephones.
Weston’s criminal history includes prior felony convictions, including a federal conviction in the Middle District of Florida for conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. For that offense, Weston was sentenced to 57 months of imprisonment, and he was on federal supervised release while he engaged in narcotics trafficking activity in Hartford.
On September 25, 2012, Weston pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).
This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, the Connecticut State Police, the Hartford Police Department, and the Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brian P. Leaming.