New Haven Narcotics Dealer Sentenced To 8 Years In Federal Prison

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RICHARD ANDERSON, also known as “Mayut” and “Porter,” 28, of New Haven, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 96 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing narcotics.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from “Operation Bloodline,” a joint law enforcement investigation targeting narcotics trafficking and gang violence in the Dwight-Kensington and Fair Haven sections of New Haven.  Led by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments, the year-long investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on numerous telephones, extensive physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, execution of search warrants, and seizures of narcotics and firearms.  Approximately 100 individuals were convicted of federal charges as a result of the investigation.

On February 6, 2014, a jury found ANDERSON guilty of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).

According to the evidence at trial, ANDERSON conspired with Kevin Wilson, also known as “Nature,” to distribute crack cocaine and heroin, primarily in the Dwight/Chapel area of New Haven.  The trial evidence also revealed that ANDERSON supplied crack cocaine on multiple occasions to co-defendant Jesus Morales, also known as “Cano,” in deals that were brokered by Wilson.  On several occasions, Anderson was intercepted on a wiretap threatening violence against Morales in an effort to collect a drug debt.  At times, ANDERSON also obtained quantities of heroin from Wilson.

ANDERSON’s criminal history includes convictions for robbery and narcotics offenses.

ANDERSON has been detained since his arrest on May 17, 2012.

Wilson and Morales pleaded guilty.  On September 26, 2013, Morales was sentenced to 63 months of imprisonment.  Wilson awaits sentencing.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia and Meriden Police Departments.  The United States Marshals Service, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, Parole and Community Services and the Milford, Hartford, New Britain, North Branford and Stratford Police Departments provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Marc Silverman.

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U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
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