John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Brian C. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bridgeport Police Chief Armando J. Perez announced, today announced that 16 individuals have been charged with federal offenses related to the distribution of heroin, cocaine, crack and opioids in southern Connecticut.

According to allegations made in court, in the summer of 2017, members of the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and Bridgeport Police Department began investigating individuals who were distributing narcotics in and around Bridgeport.  The investigation has included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics, physical and video surveillance, and the execution of multiple search and seizure warrants.  These law enforcement efforts have resulted in the seizure of narcotics, eight firearms – including three assault rifles and a destructive device – more than $360,000 in cash, and other items.

On November 14, 2016, a grand jury in New Haven returned three indictments charging 16 individuals.  The majority of the defendants were arrested last week on federal criminal complaints, and one defendant was arrested today. 

The following individuals are charged in an indictment with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin:

LOUIE McDOWELL, 45, of SeymourANTONIO SMALL, a.k.a. “Tone” and “Bert,” 27, of NaugatuckEVAN SHEFFIELD, a.k.a. “Smooth,” 32, of BridgeportCHRISTOPHER RODRIGUEZ, a.k.a. “Rico,” 30, of HamdenJESSE PAPCUN, a.k.a. “Steve,” 30, of StratfordALLISON McAULIFFE, 28, of FairfieldSHAWN JOBBAGY, 27, of BridgeportALLISON COLAVITO, 31, of Trumbull

This indictment specifically charges McDowell and Small with conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; Sheffield and Rodriguez with conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years; and Papcun, McAuliffe, Jobbagy and Colavito with conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, and an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The indictment also charges McDowell with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin, Sheffield with possession with intent to distribute heroin and crack cocaine, and McAuliffe, Jobaggy and Colavito with use of telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.

On November 6, 2018, a search of McDowell’s residence in Seymour revealed approximately one kilogram of cocaine, more than 100 grams of heroin, narcotics paraphernalia, five firearms, ammunition, and $129,203 in cash.  A search of a safe deposit box maintained by McDowell revealed an additional $217,000 in cash.  Investigators also seized $2,960 in cash and heroin from Sheffield’s Bridgeport residence, $1,770 in cash and a Rolex watch from Small’s Naugatuck residence, and narcotics, firearms and other weapons from Papcun’s Stratford residence.

The following individuals are charged in an indictment with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute various controlled substances, including cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin and oxycodone:

KEVIN JONES, II, a.k.a. “Ox” and “Scott,” 26, of BridgeportLUIS MARTINEZ, a.k.a. “Macho,” 53, of StratfordSHAWN WOODARD, 27, of BridgeportDONALD LAWLOR, 38, of NorwalkPHILLIP CHIAIA, 31, of NorwalkJULIAN DELEPINE, 41, of WiltonKEVIN JONES, SR., 54, of Farmington

If convicted of the charge, Jones II faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and the other six defendants face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The indictment also charges Jones II with possessing with intent to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin and oxycodone.  On November 6, 2018, a search of his person and residence revealed narcotics, $2,823 in cash, jewelry and an ounce of gold.  In addition, a search of Martinez’s Stratford residence revealed $11,132 in cash.

HARVEL CARTER, a.k.a. “Tec,” 25, of Bridgeport, is charged by indictment with one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin, and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin.  Both offenses carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

On November 6, 2018, a search Carter’s residence revealed heroin, two loaded handguns, and $1,406 in cash.

U.S. Attorney Durham 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 matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department, as well as the DEA, Connecticut State Police, and the Stratford, Norwalk, Seymour and Trumbull Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck and Anthony E. Kaplan.