New Haven Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Gun and Narcotics Offenses

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that Alphonzo Dixon, also known as “Fonz,” 26, of New Haven, was sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Judge Warren W. Eginton in Bridgeport to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm and 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, the New Haven Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police into drug distribution and related violence allegedly being committed by members and associates of the Grape Street Crips in New Haven. Dixon was identified over a court-authorized wiretap communicating with Donald Ogman, who has been identified in court proceedings as the alleged leader of the Grape Street Crips, discussing narcotics transactions and shootings.

In February 2012, Dixon purchased eighth-ounce quantities of crack cocaine from members of the conspiracy for distribution purposes. On March 12, 2012, investigators also recovered a revolver that was identified as belonging to Dixon.

Dixon had been convicted in August 2011 of possessing a weapon in a motor vehicle, and it is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Dixon has been detained since March 26, 2012.

On April 9, 2012, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Dixon and 17 other individuals with narcotics distribution and related offenses stemming from this investigation. Two additional individuals were later charged in the case.

All the defendants have pleaded guilty. On August 8, 2012, Dixon pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon and one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack cocaine).

Dixon will begin service of his federal sentence after he completes a six-month term of incarceration for contempt ordered in state court on December 13, 2013, following Dixon’s refusal to testify at trial.

Ogman awaits sentencing.

This matter was investigated by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets Task Force; the New Haven, Hamden, and Milford Police Departments; the Connecticut State Police; and the State of Connecticut Department of Correction. The investigation has been assisted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Westerly (Rhode Island) Police Department.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan and H. Gordon Hall.