New Haven Man Sentenced to 41 Months in Federal Prison for Role in New Haven Drug Ring

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TOMMY JULIUS, also known as “General” and “J,” 39, of New Haven, was sentenced today via videoconference by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny to 41 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a New Haven-based drug trafficking ring.  Judge Chatigny ordered Julius to serve the first six months of his supervised release in home confinement.

This matter stems from an investigation headed by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force and New Haven Police Department that targeted drug trafficking and related acts of violence by members, former members and associates of the “Island Brothers” street gang in New Haven.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of narcotics from Julius and others, also revealed that the drug trafficking organization had established a base of operation in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.  The investigation subsequently identified a second drug trafficking network that involved the large-scale distribution of heroin.  Julius regularly distributed heroin and crack cocaine to street sellers who, in turn, provided Julius with proceeds from their drug sales.

Twenty-five individuals were convicted as a result of this investigation.

Julius was arrested on July 10, 2019.  On September 2, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substance.  He has been detained since October 5, 2021, when his bond was revoked after he violated conditions of his release.

Julius’ criminal history dates to 1998 and includes several convictions, including a federal firearm conviction in 2011 for which he received a sentence of 10 years in prison.  In January 2018, he received an additional 14 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his federal supervised release.

This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, New Haven Police Department, Milford Police Department, Hamden Police Department, East Haven Police Department, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan, Elena L. Coronado and Tara E. Levens through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.