Hartford Man Sentenced to 5 Years Prison for Gang-Related Narcotics Trafficking

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KYRIN-ROBERT JACKSON, also known as “Ky,” 25, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for gang-related narcotics trafficking.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a year-long joint law enforcement investigation headed by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force into narcotics trafficking by members and associates of WestHell street gang, and gang-related violent activity.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical surveillance, identified Melkuan Scott, also known as “Young God,” “Mel,” “Young” and “YG,” as the leader of the West Hell street gang who, along with JACKSON and other associates, distributed crack cocaine in the Westland Street area of Hartford.

JACKSON has been detained since his arrest on April 15, 2014.  On April 15, 2015, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).

Twenty-five individuals were charged as a result of the investigation.  One defendant was convicted after trial and 23 defendants pleaded guilty to various offenses.  One defendant was shot and killed while his case was pending.  Scott pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

JACKSON previously served approximately 71 months in state prison for assaulting police officers and larceny.  On June 5, 2008, Hartford Police detectives received a report of a car that was involved in a robbery in Bloomfield.  After spotting the car at a location on Bellevue Street, JACKSON, who attempted to flee, repeatedly drove the vehicle at officers at a high rate of speed and smashed two police vehicles.  Three detectives were taken to the hospital as a result of the incident.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Squad, Major Crimes Unit and Shooting Task Force are providing valuable assistance to the investigation, and the Capitol Region Emergency Response Team (CREST) assisted with the arrest of certain defendants.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John H. Durham and Peter S. Jongbloed.