David B. Fein, United States Attorney
for the District of Connecticut, announced that two men involved in a New Haven
drug trafficking organization were sentenced today by Senior United States
District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven.
This matter stems from a joint law
enforcement investigation conducted 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 centered in the Newhallville section of New Haven and
Hamden that was responsible for the distribution of crack cocaine and cocaine
throughout the Greater New Haven area.
Russell Battles, also known as “Cuddy”
and “Cuddy Russ,” 29, of New Haven, was sentenced to 152 months of
imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release. On May 2, 2011,
Battles pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute
more than 500 grams of cocaine. According to court documents and statements
made in court, in September and October 2010, Battles was intercepted several
times over a wiretap arranging to purchase multiple kilograms of cocaine.
Milton Johnson, also known as “Tilt,”
28, of New Haven, was sentenced to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by four
years of supervised release. On April 3, 2012, Johnson pleaded guilty to one
count of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine.”)
According to court documents and statement made in court, between June and
October 2010, Johnson distributed between 196 and 280 grams of crack cocaine.
Forty-seven individuals have been
charged in federal court with various narcotics offenses as a result of this
investigation.
U.S. Attorney Fein noted that federal
prisoners are required to serve at least 85 percent of their sentenced term of
imprisonment and are not eligible for parole.
This matter was investigated by the FBI
New Haven Safe Streets Task Force (composed of members of members of the New
Haven, Milford, and Hamden Police Departments and the Connecticut Department of
Correction), 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 has assisted the investigation.
The investigation was funded in
significant part by the United States Attorney’s Office Organized Crime Drug
Enforcement Task Force and supported by the ogfice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods
and Anti-Gang programs.
This matter is being prosecuted by
Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher M. Mattei and Robert M. Spector.
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