Hartford Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Federal Prison for Drug and Gun Offenses

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MAURICE TUCKER, also known as “Mo,” 37, of Hartford was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2018, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force began investigating Ricardo Reyes, also known as “Rick the Ruler,” a member of the Los Solidos street gang who was distributing fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and crack in the area of Park Street and Hungerford Street in Hartford.  During the investigation, law enforcement conducted multiple controlled purchases of narcotics from Reyes.  Court-authorized wiretaps confirmed that Reyes was distributing narcotics to numerous customers, and identified individuals who supplied drugs to Reyes and associates who sold drugs on his behalf.  Intercepted communications also revealed Reyes was acquiring and trafficking firearms.

Investigators identified Tucker as a narcotics distributor.  On May 2, 2019, a court-authorized search of Tucker’s residence revealed three loaded semiautomatic pistols, including one that had been reported stolen in 2011; assorted ammunition; approximately 22 grams of fentanyl packaged in 900 bags; approximately 59 grams of crack cocaine; approximately 15 grams of cocaine; items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, and $43,810 in cash.  Tucker was arrested on state charges on that date.

Tucker has been detained since his federal arrest on June 17, 2019.

On June 27, 2019, a grand jury Hartford returned a 32-count indictment charging Reyes, Tucker and 13 associates with various narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses.

On March 16, 2020, Tucker pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine base (“crack”), and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Reyes has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang 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 Division and the New Britain Police Department have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.