Two Hartford Men Sentenced to 37 Months in Federal Prison for Distributing Narcotics

The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced that DEQUAN BARNO, also known as “Day Day,” 22, of Hartford, and DOMINIQUE MACK, also known as “Little Sweets,” 22, of Hartford, were each sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for distributing narcotics.

This matter stems from “Operation Northern Strike,” a 15-month joint law enforcement investigation targeting members and associates of geographically based street gangs engaging in criminal activity in Hartford’s Upper Albany and Northeast neighborhoods. The investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on multiple telephones, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical surveillance. As a result of the investigation, 35 individuals were charged with various federal drug and firearms violations.

According to court documents and statements made in court, BARNO and MACK, both members of the AVE street gang, were intercepted during the course of the wiretap investigation engaging in conversations related to their narcotics distribution activities.

BARNO and MACK each previously pleaded guilty to one count of use of a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking felony.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force—which includes representatives of the FBI, Connecticut State Police, and Hartford Police Department—and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Geoffrey M. Stone.