7 Indicted In New Haven Drug Trafficking Case: Feds

NEW HAVEN, CT — Seven New Haven individuals were indicted Monday in connection with a drug trafficking ring, according to federal prosecutors.

The following people were indicted with conspiring to distribute heroin and crack cocaine: Michael Smith, aka "Head," 34, Jonathan Duarte, 35, Chawn Battle, 47, Keilah Boria, 39, Alex Reyes, 33, Alexis Viera, 32, and Ernest Holcomb, aka "Ern," 34.

According to a statement from federal prosecutors:

The DEA New Haven Task Force began an investigation in 2019 into a New Haven-based drug trafficking network headed by Michael Smith.

The investigation revealed that Smith, Duarte, Reyes and Holcomb were distributing heroin and crack cocaine throughout the New Haven area.

During the investigation, Viera was identified as a supplier of crack to Smith’s organization, and Battle was identified as customer who bought heroin from the organization and sold the drug to his own customers.

The investigation also revealed that Boria maintained bank accounts that Smith used to launder the cash proceeds of his drug trafficking activity. Smith spent some of the drug proceeds to pay for rental cars that he used to transport drugs and to travel to meet his drug customers.

Smith is also accused of possessing a gun he used in a drug-related shooting.

If convicted, Smith, Boria and Duarte face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

Holcomb, Battle, Reyes and Viera face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The indictment also charges Smith with one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of heroin, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of use of a firearm during and in relation to, and in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime, an offense that carries a mandatory term of imprisonment of at least 10 years.

The indictment also charges Smith and Boria with one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.