New London Man Sentenced 10 Years for Alleged Distribution of Crack Cocaine

NEW LONDON, CT - A New London man was sentenced Thursday to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

This matter stems from a long-term investigation headed by the Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force East and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration into the large-scale distribution of narcotics in southeastern Connecticut, according to a release.

The investigation revealed that, between 2013 and 2015, Sydney Jackson, also known as “Fatz,” 34, and others regularly acquired kilogram quantities of cocaine and heroin from sources in New York and transported the drugs to southeastern Connecticut. Much of the cocaine was converted to crack cocaine by Jackson in Connecticut, and the drugs were distributed through a network of dealers in Groton, Norwich, New London, Stonington, Westerly, R.I. and the surrounding area.

On November 24, 2015, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned a 35-count superseding indictment charging Jackson and 12 other defendants with various narcotics trafficking and firearm offenses. In addition, approximately 20 individuals were prosecuted on related state charges.

Over the course of the investigation, investigators seized approximately 1.3 kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of crack cocaine, 416 grams of heroin, five firearms and $53,500 in cash.

Jackson was arrested on June 23, 2015. On October 27, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine.

The Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force East, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, Connecticut Department of Correction and Groton City, Groton Town, New London, Norwich and Waterford Police Departments all contributed to the investigation.

Image via Shutterstock.