Jury Finds New Haven, 24, Man Guilty Of Fentanyl, Crack Dealing: Feds

NEW HAVEN, CT — Donell Allick, 24, of New Haven was found guilty by a federal jury in New Haven of drug trafficking charges, according to US Attorney for CT Vanessa Roberts Avery. Following the trial and before the jury returned its verdict, Allick AKA “D-Nice,” also pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing firearms, per Avery.

But the jury found Allick not guilty of one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, a quantity of fentanyl; one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, the U.S. Attorney said.

According to Avery and the evidence disclosed during the trial, between April and October 2022, Allick conspired with others to distribute fentanyl and crack cocaine in the New Haven area, Avery said. In September and October 2022, law enforcement made controlled purchases of fentanyl from Allick and his associate, Jourdin Senior, she noted. On October 24, 2022, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of a residence shared by Allick and Senior and seized three handguns, extended magazines, and quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine, some of which was packaged for street-level distribution, Avery said. A related search of Allick’s car, which had been observed in suspected drug transactions, resulted in the seizure of another handgun, a 33-round extended magazine, and quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine, the U.S. Attorney said.

The Justice Department said Allick was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl and crack; one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl; and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base. Each carries a maximum of 20 years in prison. Allick pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of firearms by a felon, which carries a maximum of 15 years, Avery said.

Allick’s criminal history include state convictions for escape in the first degree, assault in the second degree-serious injury, and carrying a pistol or revolver without a permit, according to court records.

Held since his November 2022 arrest, Allick is scheduled to be sentenced June 13.

On March 10, 2023, Senior, also known as “G,” pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl and cocaine base, Avery said. He awaits sentencing, she said.

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); the New Haven Police Department; and the Hamden Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens and Rahul Kale through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.