Hartford Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2011 Gang-Related Murder

U.S. Attorney John H. Durham and Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane announced that ARTHUR STANLEY, also known as “Wiggs,” 29, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to a mandatory life prison term for committing the July 15, 2011, murder of Keith Washington, 23, of Windsor.  On December 19, 2016, a jury found Stanley guilty of engaging in a violent crime in aid of racketeering.

This matter stems from a joint law enforcement investigation headed by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force into narcotics trafficking by members and associates of the Westhell and Team Grease street gangs and gang-related violent activity.  Officers and inspectors of the Cold Case Homicide Unit of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney participated in the investigation.

At approximately 9:28 p.m. on July 15, 2011, the Hartford Police Department received a report of shots fired in the vicinity of 67 Oakland Terrace in Hartford.  Officers responding to the scene located an unconscious person lying on the front porch of the residence with an apparent gunshot wound to the head.  The victim, who was subsequently identified as Keith Washington, was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on July 17, 2011.

According to the trial evidence and testimony, Stanley, a member of the Westhell street gang, attempted to shoot and kill a member of a rival street gang who was talking with Washington on the front porch of 67 Oakland Terrace.  He missed his intended target and shot Washington instead.

Stanley has been in federal custody since April 15, 2014, when he was arrested on gang-related narcotics trafficking charges.  On May 5, 2015, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).  Today, Judge Meyer imposed a concurrent 10-year sentence for that offense.

Judge Meyer also ordered Stanley to pay restitution of $12,908.87 to Keith Washington’s family for funeral and related expenses. 

The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

This case was prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Durham, Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed and New Haven State’s Attorney Patrick Griffin, who was cross-designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in this matter.