United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: NORWICH DRUG DEALER SENTENCED TO MORE THAN 17 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTHONY PAGE, also known as “Ant,” 32, of South Windham, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 210 months of imprisonment, followed by eight years of supervised release.  On September 23, 2009, a federal jury found PAGE guilty of various narcotics distribution and illegal firearm possession charges.

According to the evidence disclosed during the trial, in December 2007, PAGE orchestrated the delivery of more than five grams of crack cocaine to an individual working with law enforcement.  PAGE also employed a co-conspirator to deliver crack cocaine and heroin to customers and accept money from the customers.  The evidence further revealed that PAGE used residences on Boswell Avenue in Norwich to store and distribute crack cocaine, and used a residence at 143 Hickory Street in Norwich as the distribution point for heroin trafficking.  During a court-authorized search of the Hickory Street location on July 24, 2008, law enforcement agents recovered heroin and a loaded Smith & Wesson .45 caliber revolver and heroin.  Subsequent DNA analysis linked the firearm to PAGE.

PAGE has been incarcerated since his arrest on July 24, 2008.

The jury found PAGE guilty of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”), one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

This matter stems from a long-term coordinated investigation dubbed “Operation Jersey Barrier,” which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Norwich Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Jonathan S. Freimann.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, 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