United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

HARTFORD MAN SENTENCED TO MORE THAN SIX YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR ROLE IN DRUG DISTRIBUTION RING

Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BYRON TURNER, also known as “B.Y.,” formerly of Capen Street, Hartford, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Christopher F. Droney in Hartford to 78 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.  On May 11, 2007, TURNER pleaded guilty to narcotics and firearms charges.

This matter stems from a six-month investigation by the Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force that included the use of a variety of investigative techniques including controlled purchases of crack cocaine, federal wiretaps over a two-month period and physical surveillance.  The investigation followed an increase in drug trafficking activity and associated violence in the vicinity of the South Marshall Street area of Hartford.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the investigation revealed that, on four separate occasions in 2006 and 2007, TURNER sold multiple ounces of crack cocaine to an individual who was working with law enforcement.  Wiretap intercepts also revealed that TURNER was supplying crack cocaine and powder cocaine to other narcotics dealers in the Hartford area.

A search of two residences used by TURNER resulted in the seizure of six firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun.

In addition to his term of imprisonment, TURNER has forfeited $16,134 in cash that he possessed at the time of his arrest on March 28, 2007, and two automobiles that he used in connection with his drug trafficking activities.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hartford Police Department, the Bloomfield Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the East Hartford Police Department, and the Mid-State Narcotics Task Force.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Edward T. Kang and Christopher M. Mattei.

CONTACT:

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