Woman Involved in Hartford-Area Drug Trafficking Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Federal Prison

The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut today announced that BRANDY DAVIS, 33, formerly of Bristol and Glastonbury, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 80 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute crack cocaine and heroin.

This matter stems from “Operation Northern Strike,” a 15-month joint law enforcement investigation targeting alleged 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, on multiple occasions in early 2010, DAVIS was intercepted over a wiretap ordering distribution quantities of heroin and crack cocaine from another member of the conspiracy.

DAVIS is currently serving a five-year state sentence for possession with intent to sell a controlled substance and risk of injury to a minor. Today, Judge Burns ordered that DAVIS begin serving the 80-month federal sentence after she completes her state sentence. On September 16, 2011, DAVIS pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

Not all of the defendants charged as a result of this investigation are alleged to be gang members or associates.

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.