Hartford Drug Trafficker Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Federal Prison

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTONIO JOHNSON, also known as “Unk,” 42, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 78 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing heroin and fentanyl in Hartford.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2017, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force launched an investigation into an organization that was selling large amounts of heroin, fentanyl and other narcotics in Hartford.  The investigation, which included approximately six months of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical surveillance, revealed that members of the organization supplied distribution quantities of narcotics to several Hartford-area drug dealers, and used multiple locations in Hartford to process, store and distribute narcotics.  Johnson assisted other members of the drug trafficking organization and also distributed narcotics to his own customers.

Johnson was intercepted during wiretapped conversations discussing the narcotics distribution enterprise, as well as illegal firearms activities.

Johnson and other members of the organization were arrested on July 19, 2018.  On that date, investigators executed 10 search warrants and seized approximately 2.7 kilograms of fentanyl, one kilogram of heroin, approximately 500 grams of crack cocaine, 100 grams of cocaine, eight firearms, cash, and other evidence of narcotics trafficking activity.

On August 2, 2018, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Johnson and 15 co-defendants with various offenses.

On May 10, 2019, Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and a quantity of cocaine base (“crack”).

Johnson has been detained since his arrest.

Johnson has 28 prior convictions, including multiple felony convictions.  In April 2004, he was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 27 months of imprisonment for passing more than $41,000 in counterfeit checks.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.  Agencies assisting the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Connecticut Department of Correction, and the East Hartford, New Britain, Newington and West Hartford Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.