Two Plead Guilty to Crack Cocaine Conspiracy Charges

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that two individuals involved in a New Haven drug distribution ring have pleaded guilty in Hartford federal court. Rufus Hunter, also known as “Triple Black,” 30, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”). Wilonda Matthews-Gary, also known as “Woo,” 32, of West Haven, pleaded guilty to the same charge yesterday.

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.

Hunter and Matthews-Gary are scheduled to be sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in July 2013, at which time each faces a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

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.