Member of New Haven Drug Ring Sentenced to Prison

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that NIGEL JONES, 37, of West Haven, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a heroin and cocaine trafficking ring.  Judge Underhill also ordered Jones to serve the first six months of his term of supervised release in home confinement.

This matter stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force, FBI and New Haven Police Department into a New Haven-based drug trafficking organization that acquired and distributed heroin and cocaine. 

During the investigation, law enforcement officers seized more than 500 grams of heroin, more than 300 grams of fentanyl, more than one kilogram of cocaine, three firearms, over $90,000 in cash, vehicles, jewelry and precious metals.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Jones purchased heroin from another member of the organization and sold the drug in smaller quantities to his own customers.

On April 19, 2018, a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Jones and 18 other individuals with narcotics trafficking offenses.  Jones and several other members of the conspiracy were arrested on April 25, 2018.

On September 13, 2018, while he was released on bond, Jones was arrested by New Haven Police and charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell after he was found in possession of distribution quantities of heroin and marijuana.

Jones’ federal bond was revoked and, on January 15, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine.

Jones criminal history includes a federal conviction in April 2014 for using a telephone to facilitate the commission of a drug trafficking felony.  He was sentenced to 30 months of imprisonment for that offense.

The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments.  The Connecticut Department of Correction, Milford Police Department and East Haven Police Department have assisted the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney H. Gordon Hall.