Two Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Roles in Northeastern Connecticut Drug Trafficking Ring

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that two men were sentenced yesterday, January 6, by Senior United States District Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven for their participation in a northeastern Connecticut narcotics distribution ring.

BRUCE BAILLARGEON, 31, of Thompson, was sentenced to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release. On September 26, 2008, BAILLARGEON pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

ZACHARY M. MONAHAN, 20, formerly of Thompson, was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. Judge Burns also ordered MONAHAN to pay a fine in the amount of $1500. On October 10, 2008, MONAHAN pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine.

The charges against BAILLARGEON and MONAHAN stem from “Operation Quiet Corner,” a 12-month, FBI and Connecticut State Police investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating primarily in northeastern Connecticut. The investigation included the use of confidential informants, controlled purchases of drugs and court-authorized telephone wiretaps. On April 9, 2008, a federal grand jury returned an Indictment charging BAILLARGEON, MONAHAN and 20 other individuals with various offenses related to the distribution of cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, the investigation revealed that between approximately January and March 2008, BAILLARGEON purchased cocaine and crack cocaine for both personal use and distribution to friends and associates. Typically, BAILLARGEON would purchase narcotics from a co-defendant multiple times during the course of a weekend and, in some instances, multiple times during the course of a single evening.

The investigation further revealed that MONAHAN possessed and distributed cocaine. Over the course of the summer of 2007, MONAHAN sold approximately 240 grams of cocaine to an individual working with law enforcement. In addition, on July 25, 2007, MONAHAN sold a .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol and ammunition to the same individual.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Statewide Cooperative Crime Control Task Force and the Statewide Organized Crime Investigative Task Force of the Connecticut State Police, with assistance from the Hartford Police Department and Connecticut State Police, Troop D. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.