Eighteen Charged with Narcotics Offenses After FBI Task Force Investigation into New Haven Gang Activity

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kimberly K. Mertz, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Bridgeport has returned an indictment charging 18 individuals with federal narcotics offenses stemming from the alleged large-scale distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine in and around New Haven.

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. The investigation was funded in significant part by the United States Attorney’s Office Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and supported by the office’s Project Safe Neighborhoods and anti-gang programs.

The indictment, which was returned on April 9, 2012 and unsealed today, charges each of the following individuals with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base (crack cocaine) and a quantity of cocaine:

Donald Ogman, a.k.a. “Manny-O” and “Main,” 30, of Shelton Avenue, New Haven;

Kenneth Sturdivant, a.k.a. “Slay,” 26, of Lamberton Street, New Haven;

Derrick Brock, a.k.a. “Easy,” 25, of Englewood Drive, New Haven;

Lamont Reed, a.k.a. “L-Wop,” 32, of Congress Avenue, New Haven;

Romell Brown, a.k.a. “Rell,” 33, of Howard Avenue, New Haven;

Anaje Amin, a.k.a. “Dice,” 27, of Shelton Avenue, New Haven;

Cornell Streater, a.k.a. “Messy,” 30, of Shelton Avenue, New Haven;

Edward Prezioso, a.k.a. “Wu-Loc,” 24, of Westerly, Rhode Island;

Cody Belanger, a.k.a. “Forty,” 30, of Westerly, Rhode Island;

Wayne Wright, a.k.a. “Cruger,” 27, of Uncasville;

Alphonzo Dixon, a.k.a. “Fonz,” 24, of Ivy Street, New Haven;

Marvin Ogman, a.k.a. “Bub Love,” 35 of Franklin Street, New Haven;

Marvin Howard, a.k.a. “Marv,” 20, of Ella Grasso Boulevard, New Haven;

Charles Hart, a.k.a. “O.G.,” 53, of Park Street, New Haven;

Richard Mason, a.k.a. “Rich,” 30, of Grand Avenue, New Haven;

Clayton Carney, a.k.a. “Hardcore,” 37, of St. Mary’s Street, Hamden;

Deandre Barnes, a.k.a. “D-Man,” 22, of Helen Street, Hamden; and

Janarleen Boria, a.k.a. “Jan,” 24, of Ivy Street, New Haven.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and the charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine carries a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

The indictment also charges Donald Ogman and Brown with possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, and Brock, Hart, and Carney with possession and distribution of cocaine base. These charges carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Borgia, Carney, Hart, Howard, Mason, and Marvin Ogman were arrested today. The other 11 defendants were initially charged by criminal complaint and arrested in March 2012. Barnes is currently being sought by law enforcement.

The defendants arrested today appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport. All of the defendants, including those arrested previously, are currently detained.

U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being investigated by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, which includes officers from the New Haven, Hamden, and Milford Police Departments and the State of Connecticut Department of Correction. The investigation was significantly assisted by the Connecticut State Police, the United States Marshals Service, and the Westerly (Rhode Island) Police Department.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Kaplan, Gordon Hall and Patrick Caruso.