Hartford Man Sentenced to More Than 9 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Drug Ring

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTHONY SHELTON, also known as “Pretty,” 39, of Hartford, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 110 months of imprisonment, followed by five years supervised release, for his role in a cocaine and crack cocaine distribution ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation headed by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department that targeted a drug trafficking organization operating in Hartford’s North End.  The investigation revealed that David Gil-Grande, of Manchester, received shipments of cocaine, secreted in sealed coffee cans, from Puerto Rico.  He then supplied the cocaine to SHELTON, Gerard “Goldie” Brown, who is SHELTON’s brother, and Trevon “B.J.” Terry.  SHELTON, Brown and Terry then converted much of the cocaine into crack and distributed both forms of the drug in the area of Barbour Street in Hartford.

Twenty individuals were charged and convicted as a result of the investigation.

On January 21, 2016, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of SHELTON’s residence and seized a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol, ammunition, body armor, and items used to process and package narcotics.  SHELTON was arrested the next day at a hotel in Branford.  At the time of his arrest, he possessed $32,673 in cash and expensive jewelry.

SHELTON has forfeited the seized firearm, body armor, cash and jewelry, and a 2006 Audi A6.

SHELTON has been detained since his arrest on January 22, 2016.  On May 22, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

SHELTON’s criminal history includes six drug-related convictions.  In 2003, he was sentenced in state court to 12 years of incarceration for a drug offense.

Gil-Grande, Brown and Terry have pleaded guilty to related charges.  On January 31, 2017, Gil-Grande was sentenced to 70 months of imprisonment and, on December 18, 2017, Terry was sentenced to 57 months of imprisonment.  Brown awaits sentencing.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, which 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 Drug Enforcement Administration have provided valuable assistance to the investigation. 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.