David B. Fein, United States Attorney
for the District of Connecticut, and Kimberly K. Mertz, Special Agent in Charge
of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today
announced that nine individuals have been charged with federal narcotics
offenses stemming from the alleged large-scale distribution of crack cocaine in
New Haven.
According to court documents and
statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation conducted by
the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, which includes the New Haven,
Hamden, and Milford Police Departments, into drug distribution and related gang
activity in The Hill neighborhood of New Haven. As alleged, the investigation
revealed that members and associates of the Southside Bloods were distributing
large quantities of crack cocaine.
The investigation has included the use
of court-authorized wiretaps and multiple controlled purchases of crack.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is dedicated
to prosecuting narcotics offenses and gang-related crimes, which are so
destructive to the quality of life for the residents of Connecticut’s cities,”
stated U.S. Attorney Fein. “I want to acknowledge the excellent work of the
members of the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, who share our commitment
to reduce gang and gun violence.”
“Gangs that commit crimes to support and
sustain their existence destroy the fabric of our communities in Connecticut
and across the United States,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Mertz. “The
FBI and our federal, state, and local partners will continue to work to
eradicate the scourge under which these gangs operate.”
“The New Haven Police Department is
grateful for the diligence on the part of its officers, the U.S. Attorney’s
Office, and our FBI task force partners,” stated New Haven Police Chief Dean
Esserman. “These charges have resulted from the hard work and tireless efforts
of the officers and agents involved in this collaborative effort.”
On September 19, 2012, a federal grand
jury sitting in New Haven returned a 13-count indictment charging the following
nine individuals with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to
distribute cocaine base (“crack cocaine”):
■Mujahid Muhammed, a.k.a. “Doughboy,” 27
of New Haven
■Jayren Wynn, a.k.a. “Richboy,” 22, of
New Haven
■Gregory Teel, a.k.a. “Detwan,” 34, of
New Haven
■Aaron Moore, a.k.a. “SK,” 27, of New
Haven
■Charles Johnson, a.k.a. “CJ,” 32, of
New Haven
■Kenneth Crutchfield, a.k.a. “K Free,”
26, of New Haven
■Rufus Hunter, a.k.a. “Triple Black” and
“Trip,” 30 of New Haven
■Wilonda Matthews-Gary, a.k.a. “Woo,”
31, of New Haven
■Kimberly Artis, 36, of New Haven
The indictment charges Muhammed, Wynn,
Teel, Moore, Johnson, and Crutchfield with conspiracy to distribute and to
possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more cocaine base, a charge that
carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term
of imprisonment of life.
The indictment also charges Hunter,
Matthews-Gary, Artis, and Wynn with conspiracy to distribute and to possess
with intent to distribute 28 grams or more cocaine base, a charge that carries
a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of
imprisonment of 40 years.
In addition, Wynn, Teel, Hunter, and
Matthews-Gary are charged with one or more counts of possession and
distribution of a controlled substance, a charge that carries a maximum term of
imprisonment of 20 years, and Artis is charged with one count of using a
telephone to facilitate a narcotics transaction, a charge that carries a
maximum term of imprisonment of four years.
Muhammed, Wynn, Hunter, and Artis were
in state custody at the time of the indictment, and Teel, Johnson, Crutchfield
and Matthews-Gary have been arrested.
Moore is currently being sought by law
enforcement. Citizens with information about his whereabouts are encouraged to
call the FBI at 203-777-6311.
This matter has been assigned to Chief
United States District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford.
U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that an
indictment 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 case is being investigated by the FBI’s
New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, which includes officers from the New Haven,
Hamden, and Milford Police Departments, and the State of Connecticut Department
of Correction.
This case is being prosecuted by
Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Kaplan and Gordon Hall.
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