Press Release
Hartford Crack Dealer Sentenced To More Than 10 Years In Federal Prison
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Connecticut
March 7, 2013
David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAYQUAN FANIEL, 28, of Hartford, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 126 months of imprisonment, followed by eight years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a previous federal conviction.
This matter stems from “Operation Vinefield,” a joint law enforcement investigation headed by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force targeting narcotics trafficking and gang violence in Hartford’s North End. As a result of the nine-month investigation, 38 individuals were charged with various offenses related to the distribution of crack cocaine and the unlawful possession and dealing of firearms in and around Hartford.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 23, 2012, an individual working with law enforcement purchased approximately 3.5 grams of crack cocaine from FANIEL at FANIEL’s Garden Street residence. On April 27, 2012, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of the residence and recovered approximately 148 grams of crack cocaine, a digital scale, $1889 in cash and a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol.
FANIEL has been detained since his arrest on April 27, 2012. On October 9, 2012, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).
FANIEL’s criminal history includes a federal conviction in 2005 related to his distribution of crack cocaine in Hartford for which he received a 60-month sentence. He was released from prison in 2009 and was serving a term of supervised release at the time of this most recent offense.
Judge Hall sentenced FANIEL to 120 months for distributing crack cocaine, and a consecutive six-month sentence for violating the conditions of his supervised release.
This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, the Connecticut State Police, the Hartford Police Department, and the Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brian P. Leaming.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:
U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov
Updated April 25, 2023
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