New London Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Crack

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that HARRY STEWART, also known as “P,” 34, of New London, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

This matter stems from a long-term investigation headed by the Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force East and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration into the large-scale distribution of narcotics in southeastern Connecticut. The investigation revealed that Sydney Jackson, also known as “Fatz,” and others regularly acquired kilogram quantities of cocaine and heroin from sources in New York and transported the drugs to southeastern Connecticut. Much of the cocaine was converted to crack cocaine by Jackson in Connecticut, and the drugs were distributed through a network of dealers, including STEWART, in Groton, Norwich, New London, Stonington, Westerly, R.I. and the surrounding area.

During the investigation, law enforcement officers conducted several controlled purchases of crack and heroin from STEWART.

On November 24, 2015, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned a 35-count superseding indictment charging STEWART, Jackson and 11 other defendants with various narcotics trafficking and firearm offenses. In addition, approximately 20 individuals were prosecuted on related state charges.

During the course of the investigation, which included numerous controlled purchases of narcotics, extensive surveillance and the execution of 11 state search warrants, investigators seized approximately 1.3 kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of crack cocaine, 416 grams of heroin, five firearms and $53,500 in cash.

STEWART has been detained since his arrest on December 9, 2015. On that date, he was in possession of crack and heroin packaged for sale. On November 3, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).

As part of this sentence, STEWART was ordered to forfeit $3,506 in cash that was seized from him during the investigation and at the time of his arrest.

On October 27, 2016, Jackson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”). On February 16, 2017, he was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment.

This matter has been investigated by the Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force East, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, Connecticut Department of Correction and Groton City, Groton Town, New London, Norwich and Waterford Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dave Vatti and Joseph Vizcarrondo, with the assistance of Senior Assistant State’s Attorneys Paul Narducci and David Smith of the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of New London.