United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: MAN INVOLVED IN MIDDLETOWN SHOOTING INCIDENT SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRIAN SLUTZKIN, also known as “Yayo,” 24, formerly of Birch Road, Middletown, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.  On March 13, 2009, SLUTZKIN pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, this matter stems from a coordinated investigation between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Meriden, Middletown and Fairfield Police Departments.  The investigation revealed that, on November 2, 2007, SLUTZKIN attempted to shoot two pedestrians on Oak Street in Middletown.  Following a high-speed vehicle pursuit through Middletown, SLUTZKIN was arrested by police and charged with various state offenses.  Police later obtained search warrants for SLUTZKIN’s vehicles and residence, which resulted in the seizure of a Glock .357 caliber pistol, a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver, more than 700 rounds of ammunition, approximately 15.7 grams of crack cocaine, three mixing dishes with cocaine residue adhered to the sides and bottoms, and other contraband.

The investigation further revealed that, for several weeks prior to his arrest, SLUTZKIN regularly supplied Thomas Farruggio of Fairfield with cocaine in exchange for a total of eight firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.  One of the firearms he received from Farruggio was used in Middletown shooting incident, and two of the firearms were recovered from other individuals involved in unrelated criminal matters.  Five of the firearms have not been recovered.

On October 7, 2008, SLUTZKIN pleaded guilty in state court to two counts of criminal attempt to commit assault in the first degree and one count of carrying a pistol without a permit, charges that stemmed from the November 2, 2007 shooting incident.  On December 18, 2008, he was sentenced in state court to a total of 10 years of imprisonment.

Today, Judge Bryant ordered that SLUTZKIN serve his 84-month federal term of imprisonment after he completes his state prison term.

Farruggio pleaded guilty to one count of illegally engaging in the business of dealing in firearms and, on May 28, 2009, he was sentenced to five years of probation.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, the Middletown Police Department, the Meriden Police Department and the Fairfield Police Department pursuant to the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Mattei.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, ammunition and body armor, and improving the safety of residents of Connecticut’s cities.  Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov