United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

JOINT LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATION DISRUPTS HARTFORD CRACK DISTRIBUTION RINGS
25 face federal and state charges after FBI, HPD, CSP and CSA investigation

United States Attorney Kevin J. O’Connor, Chief States Attorney Christopher Morano, FBI Special Agent In-Charge Kimberly Mertz and Hartford Police Chief Patrick Harnett today announced that 23 individuals have been indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven, Connecticut. The defendants were charged with federal narcotics violations and firearms offenses. Two additional defendants were charged with violation of state narcotics laws.

United States Attorney O’Connor explained that the indictments and state charges resulted from a five-month investigation by an FBI-led task force consisting of Special Agents of the FBI, Hartford Police Officers, and an Inspector from the Chief States Attorney’s Office. The long-term investigation included the use of a variety of investigative techniques including controlled purchases of crack cocaine, federal wiretaps over a four-month period, physical surveillance, and the execution of search and seizure warrants.

The investigation that led to the indictments and arrests was initiated following a spike in violent crime in the South Marshal Street area of Hartford. The initial investigation focused on drug trafficking activity and associated violence connected with the “South Marshal Street Crew” – a drug dealing organization headed by LUIS ROSADO, aka “Lou Rock,” age 20, formerly of 141 Cleveland Avenue, Hartford; and his associates including KEITH McGHEE, aka “Hersh,” age 23, formerly of 28 Huntington Street, Hartford. That stage of the investigation resulted in the purchase and seizure of more than one-half kilogram of crack cocaine and three firearms including a fully-loaded Tec-9 Intratec machine pistol, a fully-loaded .44 caliber Colt Anaconda revolver and a fully-loaded .9 millimeter pistol. Electronic surveillance initiated on a telephone used by LUIS ROSADO further identified FREDDIE GONZALEZ, age 23, formerly of 173 South Marshal Street, Hartford; KAREEM COLLINS, age 33, formerly of 3 Burr Road, Bloomfield; and NAVRICK GRANT, age 27, who had been residing at a local hotel, as drug trafficking associates of ROSADO.

The investigation into LUIS ROSADO also led to the identification of a source of cocaine supply to the South Marshal Street Crew. JEFFREY GRAY, aka “Spado,” aka “Piff Star,” age 34, formerly of 40 Highcourt, East Hartford, was identified as a supplier of crack cocaine to LUIS ROSADO and others. The investigation included electronic surveillance initiated on a telephone used by JEFFREY GRAY. That wiretap led to the identification of another significant drug distribution organization operating in the greater Hartford area that included: GRAY; WILLIE WRIGHT, aka “Gunz,” age 26, formerly of 18 Winchester Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford; AARON ROBINSON, aka “Buss,” age 21, formerly of 164 Sergeant Street, Hartford; and JONAS NELSON, aka “Head,” age 20, formerly of 28 Townley Street, Hartford.

The investigation into GRAY’s organization led, in turn, to the investigation of ANDRE HUDSON, aka “Dre,” age 27, formerly of 13 Harper Street, Hartford. Electronic surveillance was initiated on telephones determined to be used by HUDSON. That investigation led to the identification of yet another crack cocaine organization operating in the greater Hartford area. The investigation further disclosed that ANDRE HUDSON was particularly proficient in converting powder cocaine into crack cocaine and was employed by various Hartford area drug traffickers, including JEFFREY GRAY, to convert powder cocaine into crack. The investigation into ANDRE HUDSON led to the arrest and indictment of DAMON HILL, aka “Dumb,” age 26, formerly of 48 Evergreen Avenue, Hartford, and his brother RASHEEN HILL, age 27, formerly of 33 Grand Street, Hartford. The HILL brothers were arrested immediately after purchasing approximately 125 grams of crack cocaine from ANDRE HUDSON and JEFFREY GRAY. The investigation also led to the arrest and indictment of JERMAINE HUDSON, aka “Jerm,” age 23, formerly of 125 Adams Street, Hartford; CHRISTOPHER LAMBERT, age 24, formerly of 20 Union Street, Meriden; ALASIA BOND, age 32, formerly of 13 Harper Street, Hartford; HENRY ANDERSON, aka “Fifty,” age 26, formerly of 14 Alexander Drive, Bloomfield; and RAHEEN THOMPSON, age 23, formerly of 19 Deerfield Street, Hartford.

On December 22, 2005, a search and seizure warrant was executed at 54 Martin Street, Apartment 40, Hartford. The execution of that warrant resulted in the seizure of more than a quarter kilogram of crack cocaine, more than 5 pounds of marijuana and more than $2,800 in cash. Additional quantities of crack cocaine, more than 2 kilograms of powder cocaine and more than $15,000 in cash were recovered during the course of the investigation.

The following defendants were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base: LUIS ROSADO, JEFFREY GRAY, ANDRE HUDSON, DAMON HILL, RASHEEN HILL and WILLIE WRIGHT. Each of these defendants face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a maximum term of life imprisonment and up to $4,000,000 in fines. Certain of these defendants with prior narcotics convictions face a mandatory minimum of 20 years of imprisonment and fines up to $8,000,000.

The following defendants were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five grams of crack cocaine: KEITH MCGHEE, FREDDIE GONZALEZ, KAREEM COLLINS, NAVRICK GRANT, HENRY ANDERSON, JERMAINE HUDSON, CHRISTOPHER LAMBERT, RAHEEN THOMPSON, ALAISIA BOND, JONAS NELSON, and AARON ROBINSON. Each of these defendants face a mandatory minimum of five years of imprisonment, a maximum term of 40 years and fines of up to $2,000,000. Defendants with prior narcotics convictions face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and up to lifetime imprisonment, in addition of up to $4,000,000 in fines.

Two individuals have been charged by state authorities with the sale of marijuana and with possession of narcotics and conspiracy to possess narcotics. The arrest of these individuals is pending.

Finally, the indictments allege that LUIS ROSADO, FREDDIE GONZALEZ, and KEITH MCGHEE were in possession of firearms after having previously been convicted of felony offenses. Each of these defendants face a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years, in addition to fines of up to $250,000 relating to those charges.

As of today, 16 of the 23 defendants indicted federally have been arrested and 13 have been ordered detained by U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas P. Smith either pending trial or pending further detention hearings. Seven defendants remain fugitives and are actively being sought by the FBI and the Hartford Police Department.

U.S. Attorney O’Connor stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial at which it is the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hartford Police Department, the Connecticut State Police and Inspectors from the Chief States Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys James Glasser and Edward Kang, and by Assistant States Attorneys Mike Gaylor and John Fahey.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov