Hartford Man Indicted On Drug, Gun Charges, Feds Say

HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford man was indicted in federal court last week and charged with distributing narcotics and illegally possessing a firearm, according to federal officials Tuesday.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut, and Brian D. Boyle, special agent for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, Tuesday announced a federal grand jury in Hartford had returned a seven-count indictment charging Jahquan Blackwin, also known as “Mula,” 25, of Hartford, with narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

Blackwin appeared Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Blackwin has been detained since his arrest Aug. 17.

Citing documents and statements made in court, authorities said, in June 2022, the DEA's Hartford Task Force began investigating Blackwin and others for distributing fentanyl and cocaine in the Hartford area.

In July and August 2022, investigators made four controlled purchases of fentanyl from Blackwin, authorities said.

On Aug. 17, a search of Blackwin’s Judson Street apartment revealed approximately 300 grams of fentanyl, 600 grams of heroin, 100 grams of crack, 500 grams of cocaine, as well as other drugs, federal officials said.

Federal authorities said investigators also found and seized two loaded Polymer 80 handguns (“ghost guns”), one of which was fitted with a high-capacity magazine, and a loaded Glock 43X handgun.

On Aug. 31, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Blackwin with:

• Four counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.

• One count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”) and 100 grams or more of heroin, an offense with a mandatory minimum prison term of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

• One count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

• And one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least five years.

Avery stressed an indictment is not evidence of guilt.

The DEA’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic police departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe.