United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

TWO HARTFORD MEN GUILTY OF COCAINE DISTRIBUTION CHARGES

Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in New Haven has found DONALD PARKER, 45, of Van Block Avenue, Hartford, guilty of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.  The trial began on Monday, March 22, and the jury returned the verdicts this afternoon.

This matter stems from “Operation All In,” a long-term Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force investigation into the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine in Hartford County.  A total of 33 individuals have been charged as a result of the investigation, which has also included the seizure of approximately three kilograms of cocaine, one-half kilogram of crack cocaine, 12 firearms, and approximately $800,000 in cash.  The Government is seeking the forfeiture of several properties, vehicles and other items that were used during the course of the narcotics trafficking activity.

According to the evidence presented during the trial, PARKER was intercepted on multiple occasions over a court-authorized wiretap ordering distribution quantities of cocaine from a co-defendant.  On March 3, 2009, federal agents and task force officers executed a search warrant at PARKER’s residence at 60 Van Block Avenue and seized approximately one ounce of cocaine, a handgun, ammunition, packaging material and other narcotics paraphernalia, and approximately $17,000 in cash.

PARKER was tried with his co-defendant, MARTIN McKREITH, 57, of Love Lane, Hartford.  After a day of evidence, on March 23, McKREITH pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

According to statements made in court, on April 8, 2009, McKREITH and two co-defendants traveled to the Bronx, New York, where they met with a co-defendant who had been supplying their drug trafficking organization with cocaine.  The drug supplier provided two kilograms of cocaine to McKREITH’s co-defendants, which they concealed in a hidden compartment in a mini-van.  At the request of his two co-defendants, McKREITH drove the mini-van back to Hartford.  In Hartford, the mini-van was stopped by law enforcement, which used a narcotics canine to find the cocaine.

PARKER is scheduled to be sentenced my United States District Judge Mark R. Kravitz on June 8, at which time PARKER faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of 60 years. McKREITH is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Kravitz on June 11, at which time McKREITH faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of 40 years.

This matter was investigated by a Drug Enforcement Administration and the Hartford, New Britain, Manchester, East Hartford, Bloomfield, Bristol, Wethersfield, Windsor and Windsor Locks Police Departments.  Additional assistance has been provided by the East Central Narcotics Task Force, which includes members from the Manchester, South Windsor, Glastonbury, and Vernon Police Departments; the Capital Region Emergency Services Team (CREST), and the Hartford Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT).  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dave Vatti and Geoff Stone.

CONTACT:

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