New Haven Man Involved in Crack Distribution Ring Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison

Deirdre M. Daly, Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that James Dickerson, also known as “Jim Jim,” 30, of New Haven, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 168 months of imprisonment, followed by eight years of supervised release, for his role in a crack cocaine distribution ring. On April 25, 2013, a after a four-day trial, Dickerson was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”) and distribution of crack cocaine.

According to statements made in court and the evidence disclosed during the trial, this matter stems from a joint law enforcement investigation conducted in 2010 by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, the DEA New Haven Task Force, the New Haven Police Department, and the Hamden Police Department. Through the use of court-authorized wiretaps, investigating officers identified and dismantled a large drug trafficking organization that was headed by Joseph Jackson, also known as “Mighty” and “M.I.,” and centered in the Newhallville section of New Haven and Hamden. The investigation revealed that Jackson used “young boys,” some of whom were still in high school, to distribute large quantities of crack cocaine.

In July and August 2010, Dickerson was regularly intercepted over the wiretap arranging to meet one of Jackson’s associates at locations in Newhallville to purchase two “8-balls” (seven grams) of crack cocaine each time. Dickerson then divided the crack into $20 baggies, which he sold to his own customers.

On October 13, 2010, Dickerson was videotaped selling $300 worth of crack cocaine to an undercover police officer.

Dickerson, whose criminal history includes four felony drug convictions, has been detained since his arrest on November 16, 2010.

Forty-seven individuals have been charged in federal court with various narcotics offenses as a result of this investigation. All have been convicted.

Joseph Jackson pleaded guilty and, on June 13, 2013, he was sentenced to 300 months of imprisonment.

This matter was investigated by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force (composed of members of the New Haven, Milford, and Hamden Police Departments and the Connecticut Department of Correction), and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force (composed of members of the New Haven, West Haven, Meriden, Ansonia, Hamden, and Branford Police Departments), along with substantial participation by members of the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments. The United States Marshals Service also assisted the investigation.

This matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert M. Spector and Christopher M. Mattei.