Hartford Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Gang-Related Narcotics Trafficking

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on October 20, 2015, GREGORY THOMAS, also known as “Quanny” and “Jim,” 24, of Hartford, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in New Haven to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking crack cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a year-long joint law enforcement investigation headed by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force into narcotics trafficking by members and associates of West Hell street gang, and gang-related violent activity.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical surveillance, identified Melkuan Scott, also known as “Young God,” “Mel,” “Young” and “YG,” 24, as the leader of the West Hell street gang who, along with his associates, including THOMAS, distributed crack cocaine in the Westland Street area of Hartford.

THOMAS was intercepted over wiretaps numerous times engaging in drug-related conversations and, between May 2013 and November 2013, investigators made 17 controlled purchases of crack directly from THOMAS.

THOMAS’ criminal history includes a state conviction in 2009 for assault in the second degree and carrying a pistol without a permit.  This conviction stemmed from THOMAS shooting two people in February 2009 in Hartford.  THOMAS has been in state custody since February 11, 2014, serving a state sentence related to his possession and distribution of crack and PCP.

On May 4, 2015, THOMAS pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

Twenty-five individuals were charged as a result of the investigation.  Scott and 22 other defendants pleaded guilty to various offenses.  One defendant was shot and killed while his case was pending.

Scott awaits sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Squad, Major Crimes Unit and Shooting Task Force are providing valuable assistance to the investigation, and the Capitol Region Emergency Response Team (CREST) assisted with the arrest of certain defendants.  The Office of the Chief State’s Attorney is also assisting with this ongoing investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John H. Durham and Peter S. Jongbloed.