David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in Hartford has found RALSTON WILLIAMS, also known as “Chris,” 42, of New Haven, guilty of heroin and crack cocaine distribution charges.  The jury returned its verdict today after a four-day trial before United States District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2011, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force initiated an investigation into a series of suspected heroin overdose cases in the greater New Haven area.  As a result of the investigation, on September 14, 2011, a grand jury sitting in New Haven returned an indictment charging WILLIAMS, Alana Fiorentino, Jason Brodsky and Bruce Dais with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin.  The indictment also charged WILLIAMS with one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

The trial evidence demonstrated that, in the summer of 2011, WILLIAMS and others rented hotel rooms in New Haven and sold prepackaged heroin to a variety of customers.  The trial evidence included surveillance videos, hotel records, telephone records, recorded calls, seized narcotics, as well as testimony of law enforcement officers and cooperating witnesses.

WILLIAMS was arrested on September 7, 2011, at which time he was found in possession of approximately 140 bags of heroin and 40 bags of crack cocaine packaged for sale.

The jury found WILLIAMS guilty of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).  When he is sentenced, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, on each count.

Fiorentino, Brodsky and Dais have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and the Milford Police Department, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police and the Bridgeport and Stamford Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah Karwan and Peter Markle.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

 

 

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