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 the unsealing of an indictment charging seven individuals with New Haven-area narcotics trafficking and related offenses.

On September 9, 2020, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging the following individuals with conspiring to distribute heroin and crack cocaine:

MICHAEL SMITH, also known as “Head,” 34, of New HavenKEILAH BORIA, 39, of New HavenERNEST HOLCOMB, also known as “Ern,” 32, of North BranfordJONATHAN DUARTE, 35, of New HavenCHAWN BATTLE, 47, of New HavenALEX REYES, 33, of New HavenALEXIS VIERA, 32, of New Haven

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in 2019, the DEA New Haven Task Force began an investigation into a New Haven-based drug trafficking network headed by Michael Smith.  The investigation revealed that Smith, Duarte, Reyes and Holcomb were distributing heroin and crack cocaine throughout the New Haven area.  During the investigation, Viera was identified as a supplier of crack to Smith’s organization, and Battle was identified as customer who bought heroin from the organization and sold the drug to his own customers.  The investigation also revealed that Boria maintained bank accounts that Smith used to launder the cash proceeds of his drug trafficking activity, and that Smith spent some of the drug proceeds to pay for rental cars that he used to transport narcotics, and to travel to meet his drug customers.

It is further alleged that on December 19, 2019, Smith possessed a firearm and used the firearm in a drug-related shooting.

If convicted of conspiring to distribute heroin and cocaine base (“crack”), based on the type and quantity of drug attributable to each defendant, Smith, Boria and Duarte face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and Holcomb, Battle, Reyes and Viera face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The indictment also charges Smith with one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of heroin, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of use of a firearm during and in relation to, and in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime, an offense that carries a mandatory term of imprisonment of at least 10 years.

The indictment also charges Smith and Boria with one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Smith has been detained since his arrest on state charges on December 23, 2019.  The other six defendants were arrested on September 16, 2020, after the indictment was returned.

Smith, Duarte, Battle and Viera are detained, and Boria, Holcomb and Reyes are released pending trial.

U.S. Attorney Durham noted 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 DEA New Haven Task Force, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, West Haven, Hamden, East Haven, North Haven, Ansonia, Meriden and Derby Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys H. Gordon Hall and John T. Pierpont, Jr.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL DAVIS, also known as “Clep,” “Clip,” and “Michael Smith,” 33, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 45 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for firearm and narcotics offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 4, 2018, Davis was told to leave the premises of a New Haven bar after he argued with a bouncer.  Davis then went outside, pulled a handgun out of his pants, loaded an extended magazine into the firearm and threatened to shoot the bar owner.

Davis was arrested on December 7, 2018.  At the time of his arrest, he possessed distribution quantities of heroin and cocaine.  A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed a Smith & Wesson SD 40 handgun.

Davis’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions for narcotics offenses and a conviction for escape in the first degree.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

On April 30, 2019, Davis pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, and one count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Haven Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel Gentile.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MICHAEL DAVIS, also known as “Clep,” “Clip,” and “Michael Smith,” 33, of New Haven, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to firearm and narcotics offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in December 2018, law enforcement began investigating Davis related to a threatening incident in New Haven.  Davis was arrested on December 7, 2018.  At the time of his arrest, he possessed distribution quantities of heroin and cocaine.  A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed a Smith & Wesson SD 40 handgun.

Davis’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions for narcotics offenses and a conviction for escape in the first degree.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Davis pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and one count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for August 7, 2019.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel Gentile.