November 5, 2015

Hartford Man Sentenced to Prison for Gang-Related Narcotics Trafficking

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JERROD HALL, also known as “Slime,” 22, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in New Haven to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for his role in a crack cocaine trafficking ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a year-long joint law enforcement investigation headed by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force into narcotics trafficking by members and associates of Westhell street gang, and gang-related violent activity.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical surveillance, identified Melkuan Scott, also known as “Young God,” “Mel,” “Young” and “YG,” 24, as the leader of the Westhell street gang who, along with his associates distributed crack cocaine in the Westland Street area of Hartford.  HALL was intercepted over wiretaps engaging in conversations related to the distribution of crack cocaine.

At the time of this offense, HALL was released on a state bond based on his arrest in July 2011 for carrying a pistol without a permit, second degree burglary and interfering/resisting arrest. In October 2011, HALL was shot in the vicinity of 129 Barbour Street in Hartford.

On April 1, 2015, HALL pleaded guilty to one count of using a telephone to facilitate a narcotics trafficking offense.

HALL was arrested on April 30, 2014, and had been released on bond.  At the conclusion of today’s court proceeding, he was remanded to begin serving his sentence.

Twenty-five individuals were charged as a result of the investigation. Scott and 22 other defendants pleaded guilty to various offenses. One defendant was shot and killed while his case was pending. Scott pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Squad, Major Crimes Unit and Shooting Task Force are providing valuable assistance to the investigation, and the Capitol Region Emergency Response Team (CREST) assisted with the arrest of certain defendants. The Office of the Chief State’s Attorney is also assisting with this ongoing investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John H. Durham and Peter S. Jongbloed.