United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

NORWICH MAN SENTENCED TO MORE THAN 10 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR SELLING CRACK COCAINE

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RICHARD ROWELL, also known as “Skitch,” 31, of Norwich, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 130 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for selling crack cocaine.  On April 29, 2010, a jury found ROWELL guilty of one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 50 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).

According to the evidence presented during the trial, which included recorded phone calls and covert video and audio recordings, on April 10, 2009, in Norwich, ROWELL sold approximately 96 grams of crack cocaine to two individuals working with law enforcement.  The video recordings included statements by ROWELL discussing how he had converted, or “cooked,” the crack from powder cocaine.

This matter stems from “Operation New London Bloods,” 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 Sarah P. Karwan and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Paul Narducci of the New London States Attorney’s Office, who has been cross-designated as Special Assistant United States Attorney in this matter.

CONTACT:

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