United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: NEW HAVEN MAN SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR DISTRIBUTING CRACK

David B. Fein, United States for the District of Connecticut, announced that MAURICE JOYNER, also known as “Moe,” formerly of Townsend Street, New Haven, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.  On April 8, 2010, JOYNER pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

This matter stems from “Operation Jedi Knight,” an investigation jointly conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the New Haven Police Department.  The investigation, which focused on several neighborhoods in New Haven that had experienced increased levels of street violence and gang activity, involved multiple purchases of various quantities of crack cocaine and firearms.  Twenty-eight individuals were arrested on federal or state charges as a result of the investigation.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2009, JOYNER conspired with another individual to sell crack cocaine in the vicinity of Winter and Goffe Streets in New Haven.  On April 23, 2009, JOYNER sold approximately 5.5 grams of crack cocaine to an individual working with law enforcement.

This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Haven Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher M. Mattei.

This prosecution is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative, a program that is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, and improving the safety of residents throughout Connecticut.  Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as state, federal and local law enforcement agencies.

CONTACT:

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