Hartford Man Sentenced to Prison for Distributing Crack

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ISAIAH GAMBLE, also known as “Fresh” and “Zay,” 23, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division targeting gang violence and narcotics trafficking in Hartford’s North End.   In 2015, there was a spike of gang-related violence between the Hoodstarz and the Dumouts street gangs.  GAMBLE was identified as a member of the Hoodstarz.

In the summer of 2015, investigators made multiple controlled purchases of narcotics from GAMBLE and others in the area of Westland Street in Hartford.  On September 15, 2015, GAMBLE was arrested in possession of crack cocaine that he had arranged to sell to an undercover officer.

On March 2, 2016, GAMBLE pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine base (“crack”).

After his guilty plea and while released on bond and awaiting sentencing, GAMBLE had been participating in the U.S. District Court’s Support Court program.  On May 2, 2018, Hartford Police arrested GAMBLE and two other individuals after they traveled by car to a location on Westland Street.  A search of GAMBLE’s person revealed an “eight-ball” of crack cocaine, and a search of the car revealed 100 wax sleeves containing suspected fentanyl, quantities of crack and marijuana, a digital scale with white residue, and $3,395 in cash.  GAMBLE was dismissed from Support Court after his arrest and his federal sentencing was scheduled.

On July 10, 2018, while awaiting sentencing in his federal case, GAMBLE was arrested again after a vehicle in which he was a passenger was stopped for motor vehicle violations.  GAMBLE jumped out of the vehicle and began to run toward a residence.  He was stopped before entering the house, and a search of his person revealed crack cocaine.  A search of the vehicle revealed a digital scale covered with a white powder residue.

GAMBLE has been detained since July 16, 2018, when his bond was revoked.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.