Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that two New Haven men were sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Judge Warren W. Eginton in Bridgeport for their involvement in a gang-related narcotics distribution ring. KENNETH STURDIVANT, also known as “Slay,” 29, was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release, and JAROD AARON, 31, was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release.

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 and the New Haven Police Department that was initiated in the wake of repeated shootings and other violence between members of the Bloods and members of the Grape Street Crips in the Hill section of New Haven. The investigation resulted in the arrests of members of both the Bloods and the Grape Street Crips.

STURDIVANT and AARON were associates of Donald Ogman, who has been identified in court proceedings as a leader of the Grape Street Crips. STURDIVANT, also a member of the Crips, and AARON distributed crack cocaine with Ogman in and around New Haven.

On March 10, 2014, STURDIVANT pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”). On March 21, 2014, AARON pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 28 grams or more of cocaine base. STURDIVANT and AARON are both previously convicted felons.

A total of 20 individuals were charged as a result of this investigation, and all have pleaded guilty. Ogman awaits sentencing.

This matter was investigated by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, which includes 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 (R.I.) Police Department.

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