United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

NEW LONDON MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL CRACK COCAINE CHARGE

Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DION ANTHONY, 25, of Williams Street, New London, pleaded guilty today before United States Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford to one count of distribution of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

According to court documents and statements made in court, on three occasions in July and August 2009, federal and local law enforcement officers made controlled purchases of crack cocaine from ANTHONY in New London.  On October 30, 2009, when executing the arrest warrant for ANTHONY at his residence, officers discovered more than two ounces of powder cocaine, nearly an ounce of crack cocaine, and 15 marijuana plants being grown for sale.

ANTHONY is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on April 10, 2010, at which time ANTHONY faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years and a fine of up to $2 million.

This matter stems from a joint law enforcement investigation headed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Connecticut State Police, Norwich Police Department, Groton Town Police Department, New London Police Department, Waterford Police Department, and the State of Connecticut’s Department of Correction and Office of Adult Probation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Felice Duffy as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative.  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 in 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