Plainville Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Distributing Crack

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL KELLEY, 36, formerly of Plainville, was sentenced today 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.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in September 2014, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and Hartford Police Department initiated an investigation into narcotics distribution, firearms trafficking and acts of violence carried out by members and associates Los Solidos in Hartford’s South End.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of heroin, crack cocaine and firearms, resulted in federal charges against approximately 30 individuals.

The investigation revealed that KELLEY supplied Eduardo Zayas with large quantities of crack cocaine.  Zayas, in turn, suppled crack to members and associates of Los Solidos.

On May 14, 2015, investigators learned that KELLEY and Zayas planned to meet to conduct a drug transaction.  That evening, Hartford Police confronted KELLEY and ZAYAS in a parking lot on New Britain Avenue.  A search of KELLEY’s person revealed approximately 320 grams of crack.  KELLEY also possessed four cell phones and $2,573 in cash.  KELLEY and Zayas were arrested on state charges at that time.

A subsequent search of an apartment in Plainville where KELLEY resided revealed approximately 1.1 kilograms of crack, approximately two kilograms of powder cocaine, approximately two kilograms of marijuana, and $49,026 in cash.  In addition, a search of a Hartford apartment connected to KELLEY revealed approximately 50 grams of crack.

KELLEY was arrested on federal charges on June 15, 2015.  On April 17, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

Zayas, of East Hartford, pleaded guilty to the same charge and, on January 27, 2017, was sentenced to 65 months of imprisonment.

The FBI Task Force 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, Major Crimes Unit, Shooting Task Force and South Conditions Unit have provided valuable assistance to the investigation, and the U.S. Marshals Service and Capitol Region Emergency Response Team (CREST) assisted with the arrests.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.

This prosecution stems from Project Longevity, a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities. Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence.  A critical component of the Project Longevity strategy is the “call-in,” a face-to-face meeting where Project Longevity partners engage group members and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it.

Members of Los Solidos attended call-ins that were held in April 2014 and August 2014.