Three from Manchester Among 20 Charged in Federal Narcotics Indictment

An investigation into a large crack cocaine trafficking operation in Hartford’s North End has resulted in federal narcotics charges being brought against 20 individuals, including three from Manchester.

A joint law enforcement investigation headed by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force revealed that David Gil-Grande of Manchester received shipments of cocaine, secreted in sealed coffee cans, from Puerto Rico. He supplied cocaine to Gerald Brown, a.k.a. “Goldie,” Anthony Shelton, a.k.a. “Pretty,” and Trevon Terry, a.k.a. “B.J.,” who converted much of the cocaine into crack cocaine and distributed both forms of the drug to others for street sale in the area of Barbour Street in Hartford.

The investigation has included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance, controlled drug purchases and seizures of drugs, a firearm, body armor, more than $150,000 in cash, two vehicles and jewelry.

Charged in a 38-count indictment, which was returned by a federal grand jury in Hartford on Jan. 28, 2016, are:

DAVID GIL-GRANDE, 28, of Manchester

ANTHONY SHELTON, a.k.a. “Pretty,” 37, of Hartford

GERARD BROWN, a.k.a. “Gerald Brown” and “Goldie,” 35, of Hartford

TREVON TERRY, a.k.a. “B.J.,” 37, of Newington

NORKA SANCHEZ, 35, of Manchester

LUIS CRUZ, a.k.a. “Gordo,” 37, of Hartford

LONNIE ARNOLD, 35, of Hartford

NATISHA BROWN, 33, of Hartford

EUGENE McCLARY, a.k.a. “Chalk,” 35, of Hartford

CHARLES MORELAND, a.k.a. “Chuck,” 49, of Hartford

JIMMIE SMITH, a.k.a. “Prime,” 43, of Hartford

WILLIAM BRASWELL, a.k.a. “Skills,” “Bubba Skillet” and “Handsome,” 44, of Hartford

DION SMITH, a.k.a. “Uncle Block, 47, of Hartford

RICHARD DURRANT, a.k.a. “Face,” 31, of Hartford

JULIUS NELSON, 31, of Meriden

ANTHONY McKENZIE, 54, of Manchester

ANDRE CARTAGENA, 28, of Hartford

HERIBERTO LEBRON, 33, of Hartford

CARLOS RIVERA, a.k.a. “Los,” 26, of Hartford

ROBERT JONES, a.k.a “Y.O.,” 30, of Hartford

On Jan. 21, investigators arrested Gil-Grande, Gerard Brown, Terry and Sanchez at their respective residences. Shelton was arrested the following day at a hotel in Branford.

The investigation culminated Tuesday with the arrests of Cruz, Natisha Brown, McClary, Moreland, Braswell, Dion Smith, Nelson, McKenzie, Cartagena, Rivera and Jones. Lebron is currently in state custody.

Arnold, Jimmie Smith and Durrant are currently being sought by law enforcement. Citizens with knowledge of their whereabouts, or with information that may be helpful the investigation of this matter, are encouraged to call the FBI at 203-777-6311.

The indictment charges Gil-Grande, Shelton, Gerard Brown, Terry, Sanchez, Cruz, Arnold, Natisha Brown, McClary, Moreland, Jimmie Smith, Braswell, Dion Smith and Durrant with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute narcotics. If convicted of this charge, based on the type and quantity of narcotics charged, Gil-Grande, Shelton, Gerard Brown, Terry and Sanchez face a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; Cruz, Arnold, Natisha Brown, McClary, Moreland and Jimmie Smith face a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and Braswell, Dion Smith and Durrant face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Shelton, Gerard Brown, and Terry are charged with one or more counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, various quantities of crack cocaine, and Gerard Brown, McKenzie, Cartagena, Lebron, Rivera, and Jones are charged with one or more counts of possession with intent to distribute narcotics.

Nelson, McKenzie, Cartagena, Lebron, Rivera and Jones are charged with use of telephone to facilitate the distribution of controlled substances, a charge that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of four years.

Finally, the indictment charges Shelton with one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and one count of possession of body armor by a violent felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years.

U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.