New Haven Crack Dealer Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Federal Prison

Deirdre M. Daly, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RUFUS HUNTER, also known as “Trip,” and “Triple Black,” 31, of New Haven, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 130 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation conducted by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force into drug distribution and related gang activity in The Hill neighborhood of New Haven. The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, revealed that members and associates of the Southside Bloods were distributing large quantities of crack cocaine. Phone calls intercepted during the course of the investigation revealed that HUNTER was at the center of a crack distribution ring and a member of the Bloods, which at the time was feuding with the rival Grape Street Crips. Between December 2011 and April 2012, investigators made four controlled purchases of crack cocaine from HUNTER.

On May 31, 2012, investigators executed a search and seizure warrant at a West Haven residence associated with HUNTER and seized a loaded .45 caliber pistol and a nine millimeter pistol, both of which have been identified as belonging to HUNTER.

On April 16, 2013, HUNTER pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (crack cocaine).

This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, including the New Haven, Hamden, and Milford Police Departments, and the State of Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Kaplan and Gordon Hall.