Windsor Man Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Crack
| U.S. Attorney’s Office September 04, 2012 |
The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced that Corey Calbert, also known as “Bump,” 32, of Windsor, formerly of Simsbury and Bloomfield, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 87 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.
This matter stems from Operation Northern Strike, a 15-month joint law enforcement investigation targeting 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, one of the initial targets of the investigation was Joseph Smith, also known as “Nitty.” The investigation revealed that Calbert regularly supplied Smith with distribution quantities of crack cocaine. Between March and May 2010, investigators intercepted numerous calls between Calbert and Smith during which they arranged to meet on at least 10 occasions to conduct apparent narcotics transactions. Investigators also intercepted calls between Smith and other co-defendants during which Smith discussed the quantity of crack cocaine he was obtaining from “Bump” and the price that Calbert was charging for the drugs.
After his arrest in this case, and while he was released on bond, Calbert resided with his mother in the Weatogue section of Simsbury. On February 28, 2012, Calbert accepted delivery of a package containing approximately one kilogram of cocaine that had been sent through the U.S. Mail to his residence.
On June 12, 2012, Calbert pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).
On June 29, 2011, Smith pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base. He awaits sentencing.
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.