David B. Fein, United States Attorney
for the District of Connecticut, and Kimberly K. Mertz, Special Agent in Charge
of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that six Bridgeport men
were arrested yesterday on federal criminal complaints as part of an FBI
Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force investigation into narcotics trafficking and
violence in and around the Trumbull Gardens housing complex in Bridgeport.
According to statements made in court,
the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, in conjunction with the Connecticut
State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force and other law enforcement agencies,
has been conducting an investigation of narcotics trafficking activity and
violent criminal activity in the Trumbull Gardens housing complex in
Bridgeport. As alleged, the investigation revealed that several individuals
sold narcotics from parking lots within Trumbull Gardens and utilized lookouts
to detect the presence of law enforcement. During the course of the
investigation, task force officers made dozens of controlled purchases of
narcotics from Hassan Rogers, 42; Rashim Carter, 24; Jamiel Thompson, 22;
Michael Newsome, 29; and others. Officers also purchased a firearm, through
Rogers, from Aleex Santana, 18.
“Through these and similar prosecutions,
the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to stem the violence in our largest
cities should be clearly demonstrated,” U.S. Attorney Fein stated. “I want to
commend all of the agents and officers involved in this investigation. Day in
and day out, they put their lives on the line to protect the public and improve
the safety of the Bridgeport community.”
“The FBI and its state and local law
enforcement partners executed federal arrest warrants in Bridgeport yesterday
in an effort to address crimes which negatively impact quality of life,
especially in Connecticut’s cities,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Mertz.
“We want to recognize the hard work of the Connecticut State Police Statewide
Narcotics Unit and the Bridgeport, Trumbull, and Norwalk Police Departments in
this ongoing investigation. The safety and well-being of the citizens of
Connecticut is, and always will be, paramount.”
During the course of yesterday’s law
enforcement operation, task force officers attempted to speak to Jeffrey
Thomas, 21, who was driving a car that had stopped on the side of the road in
the vicinity of Old Town Road and Oman Street in Trumbull. As task force
officers approached, it is alleged that Thomas put the car in reverse, ramming
the task force officers’ car behind him. Thomas then drove at two FBI agents, who
were able to avoid being struck; one of the agents fired his gun in an effort
to protect himself and the other agents. With officers in pursuit, Thomas drove
away but crashed his vehicle. He fled into a residence on Voight Street, where
he was subsequently apprehended.
Rogers, Carter, Thompson, and Newsome
are each charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin, which
carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Rogers and Santana are each
charged with unlawful sale of a firearm, which carries a maximum term of
imprisonment of five years. Carter is also charged with witness intimidation,
which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Thomas is charged
with assault on federal officers, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment
of 20 years.
The defendants appeared yesterday before
United States Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport and are
presently detained.
U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that a
complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only
allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven
guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the
FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, which includes the Bridgeport,
Norwalk, and Trumbull Police Departments, in coordination with the Connecticut
State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force.
This case is being prosecuted by
Assistant United States Attorneys Tracy Lee Dayton and Rahul Kale.
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