John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that PRINCETAFARI VIDAL, also known as “Prince,” 38, of Norwich, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 33 months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for his role in a southeastern Connecticut drug trafficking ring.

This matter stems from an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton and Stonington Police Departments, into the distribution of narcotics and illegal possession of firearms in southeastern Connecticut.  The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases and seizures of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, and firearms.  Vidal was intercepted on a wiretap discussing cocaine transactions with Royshawn Allgood, also known as “Boy Roy.”  Vidal received cocaine from Allgood, and sometimes supplied cocaine to Allgood.

On March 5, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Rodriguez, Allgood and 22 other individuals with various offenses.  On August 6, 2019, a superseding indictment included charges against an additional two defendants.

Vidal has been detained since his arrest on June 4, 2019.  On November 8, 2019, he pleaded guilty to using a telephone to commit a narcotics offense.

Allgood pleaded guilty to related charges and, on January 3, 2020, was sentenced to 71 months of imprisonment.

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton, Stonington, Norwich, Old Saybrook and UConn Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that EMILIO RODRIGUEZ, also known as “Millz,” 26, of New London, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a southeastern Connecticut drug trafficking ring.

This matter stems from an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton and Stonington Police Departments, into the distribution of narcotics and illegal possession of firearms in southeastern Connecticut.  The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases and seizures of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, and firearms.

The investigation revealed that Rodriguez received heroin from Royshawn Allgood, also known as “Boy Roy,” and Anthony Whyte, also known as “Jack Mac,” then distributed the drugs to his own customers.

On March 5, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Rodriguez, Allgood and 22 other individuals with various offenses.  On August 6, 2019, a superseding indictment included charges against an additional two defendants.

Rodriguez has been detained since his arrest on March 11, 2019.  On October 17, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin.

Allgood pleaded guilty to related charges and, on January 3, 2020, was sentenced to 71 months of imprisonment.  Whyte is awaiting trial.

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton, Stonington, Norwich, Old Saybrook and UConn Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROYSHAWN ALLGOOD, also known as “Boy Roy,” 30, of New London, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 71 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a southeastern Connecticut drug trafficking ring.

This matter stems from an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton and Stonington Police Departments, into the distribution of narcotics and illegal possession of firearms in southeastern Connecticut.  The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases and seizures of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, and firearms.  Allgood received narcotics from another member of the conspiracy and then distributed the drugs to users and other street-level distributors.

Allgood and 10 co-conspirators were arrested on February 21, 2019.  On March 5, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Allgood and 23 other individuals with various offenses.  On June 4, 2019, Allgood pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, 100 grams or more of heroin, and 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).

Allgood, who was released on bond, was remanded to custody of the U.S. Marshals Service at the conclusion of the sentencing proceeding.

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton, Stonington, Norwich, Old Saybrook and UConn Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BENJAMIN GREGOR, 34, of Uncasville, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a southeastern Connecticut drug trafficking ring.

This matter stems from an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton and Stonington Police Departments, into the distribution of narcotics and illegal possession of firearms in southeastern Connecticut.  The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases and seizures of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, and firearms.

Gregor and 10 co-conspirators were arrested on February 21, 2019.  On that date, a search of Gregor’s residence revealed approximately 470 grams of cocaine.

On March 5, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Gregor and 23 other individuals with various offenses.

Gregor has been detained since his arrest.  On July 10, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Gregor’s criminal history includes a prior federal narcotics conviction, and state convictions for domestic violence-related offenses.

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton, Stonington, Norwich, Old Saybrook and UConn Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging 24 individuals connected to a southeastern Connecticut drug trafficking ring with narcotics and related offenses.

The indictment, which was returned on March 5 and unsealed today after eight defendants were arrested, stems from a joint investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton and Stonington Police Departments, into the distribution of narcotics and illegal possession of firearms in southeastern Connecticut.  The investigation has included court-authorized wiretaps, and controlled purchases and seizures of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, and firearms.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, the investigation revealed that Anthony Whyte, of New London, obtained heroin, fentanyl and cocaine from various sources in Connecticut and elsewhere, and distributed the narcotics to other members of the conspiracy.  Whyte’s co-conspirators then sold the drugs to customers and other street-level drug dealers.

On February 21, 2018, Whyte and 10 of his alleged co-conspirators were arrested on federal criminal complaints.  On that date, a search of Whyte’s New London apartment revealed more than 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, more than 350 grams of heroin, and 10 firearms.  Investigators seized additional narcotics, another firearm, and nearly $200,000 in cash from other members of the conspiracy.

The 22-count indictment charges each of the following individuals with conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, various quantities of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and cocaine base (“crack cocaine”):

ANTHONY WHYTE, a.k.a. “Jak Mac,” 44, of New LondonROYSHAWN ALLGOOD, a.k.a. “Boy Roy,” 29, of Norwich and New LondonHOLLY BUTLER, 41, of NorwichKEMAR CAMERON, 31, of West HavenNIREN DAVIS, a.k.a. “King,” 37, of NorwichEARLENE DUDLEY, JR., a.k.a. “Big Fish,” 38, of NorwichVICTOR ENCARNACION, 31, of NorwichJOSHUA FELDMAN, 45, of New LondonANTOINE FORBES, a.k.a. “Cream,” 39, of Uncasville, Conn. and Westerly, R.I.RAMEL GENERAL, a.k.a. “Ra,” 37, of GrotonBENJAMIN GREGOR, 33, of UncasvilleJACKIE HERNANDEZ, 41, of New LondonJUAN HERNANDEZ, 35, of New LondonRONALD KETTER, 38, of New LondonORLAYN MARQUEZ, a.k.a. “Cuba,” 36, of BristolBRIAN McCLELLAN, 29, of NorwichAGGRAY MCLEOD, a.k.a. “Jamaican Berry,” 50, of New LondonAMY SARCIA, 49, of StoningtonJEREMY SANBORN, a.k.a. “Jerm,” 40, of LedyardDILMA SOLANGE SILVA, 32, of WaterburyRAYQUAN STOKLEY, a.k.a. “Gatz,” 36, of New LondonSASHA SWAIN, 43, of Old Saybrook           

Two defendants charged in the indictment are still being sought by law enforcement.

The indictment alleges that, between March 2018 and February 2019, each defendant conspired to distribute various narcotics.  If convicted of this charge, based on the type and quantity of narcotics involved, Whyte, General and Marquez face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; Allgood, Butler, Cameron, Dudley, Encarnacion, Gregor, Jackie Hernandez, Sarcia and Silva face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and the remaining defendants face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The indictment also charges Whyte, Allgood, Feldman, Jackie Hernandez and Juan Hernandez with one or more counts of possession and/or distribution of various narcotics.  In addition, Ketter is charged with one count of using a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking felony.

Whyte is charged with possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of five years, and Sanborn is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Finally, the indictment charges Whyte and Sarcia with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments (“money laundering”), an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  It is alleged that Sarcia accepted narcotics proceeds from Whyte.  In exchange, Sarcia provided Whyte with quarterly paychecks from her business, Two Wives Pizza, and a federal W-2 tax form, in an attempt to disguise the narcotics proceeds as employment wages.  Sarcia also accepted cash from Whyte for allowing him to use a building she manages to store and dispense narcotics.

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 investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton, Stonington, Norwich, Old Saybrook and UConn Police Departments,   The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and S. Dave Vatti.