West Haven Resident Charged In Massive Drug Bust: Feds

NEW HAVEN, CT — A West Haven resident was among the 25 people arrested Wednesday on federal drug charges in connection to gang-related activity in and around New Haven, according to authorities. A grand jury in New Haven returned a 15-count indictment Tuesday related to the distribution of crack cocaine, cocaine and heroin in Connecticut and Massachusetts, U.S. States Attorney for Connecticut John H. Durham announced in a joint press release with Brian C. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI, and New Haven Police Chief Otoniel Reyes.

The charges stem from an investigation headed by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force and New Haven Police Department that targeted drug trafficking and related acts of violence by members, former members and associates of the “Island Brothers” street gang in New Haven. The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of narcotics, also revealed that the drug trafficking organization had established a base of operation in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, according to authorities. The investigation subsequently identified a second drug trafficking network that involved the large-scale distribution of heroin.

“As alleged, these drug trafficking networks have been responsible for the distribution of significant quantities of heroin, crack and cocaine in Connecticut and Massachusetts,” Durham said in a statement. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our federal, state and local partners to stem the drug trade in our cities, and the violence associated with it, by prosecuting those involved in this criminal behavior.”

Eighteen of the defendants were arrested Wednesday, five defendants were already in custody and two defendants are still being sought, officials said.

Charged in the indictment are:

TOMMY JULIUS, a.k.a. “General” and “J,” 36, of New Haven

CARL MERRITT, a.k.a. “C,” 39, of New Haven

FRANK CARR, a.k.a. “FL,” 52, of Hamden

BRIAN K. BACKMAN, a.k.a. “B,” “NYB” and “New York B,” 54, of New Haven

ANDERSON ATKINSON, a.k.a. “Barry,” 58, of Hamden

BRYANT WILLIAMS, 44, of New Haven

JEFFREY BRAZIER, 49, of Hamden

ERIC BURRUSS, a.k.a. “E,” 40, of New Haven

MERVIN BRANDY, 52, of Hamden

PRISHONNA TURNER, a.k.a. “Nonnie,” 23, of Hartford

SHARMAINE CROSLEY, a.k.a. “Shar,” 35, of New Haven

JESSENIA ROMAN, a.k.a. “Red,” 32, of New Haven

THEODORE SMITH, a.k.a. “Ted,” 36, of New Haven

WANDA CARTER, a.k.a. “WaWa,” 40, of Hamden

GERARD SENIOR, 20, of New Haven

SHAVAR BELLAMY, a.k.a. “Lil B,” “LB” and “Little Black,” 33, of New Haven

MATTHEW MOORE, a.k.a. “Matt,” 44, of Fitchburg, Mass.

SHAUN ARMSTRONG, 39, of Fitchburg, Mass.

JAMAINE JACKSON, a.k.a. “Jack,” 45, of Bridgeport

MAKENE JACOBS, a.k.a. “Mac” and “Bridgeport,” 43, of West Haven

TYRESE STANLEY, a.k.a. “Scoot,” 29, of New Haven

MELVIN ROBERTS, a.k.a. “Psycho” and “Mel,” 62, of New Haven

DENA DRAUGHN, 55, of Hamden

“Today’s takedown is yet another example of our great working relationship with the New Haven Police Department and all of our law enforcement partners across the state,” Turner said. “All of our efforts are aimed at improving the quality of life of all law-abiding residents of Connecticut.”

The indictment charges Julius, Merritt, Carr, Backman, Atkinson, Williams, Brazier, Burruss, Brandy, Turner, Crosley, Roman, Smith, Carter, Senior, Bellamy, Moore and Armstrong with one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, cocaine base (“crack”), cocaine and heroin. If convicted of this offense, based on the type and quantity of narcotics charged, Julius, Merritt, Carr, Burruss, Crosley and Bellamy face a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, officials said. The other defendants, if convicted of this charge, face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The indictment also charges Backman, Atkinson, Jackson, Jacobs, Stanley, Roberts and Draughn with one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, heroin. If convicted of this offense, based on the quantity of heroin charged, Backman, Atkinson and Draughn face a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years. The other defendants, if convicted of this charge, face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

On June 16, Atkinson and Draughn were arrested in connection with the seizure of approximately 10,000 bags of heroin.

The indictment also charges several defendants with one or more counts related to the distribution of various narcotics.

In addition, Merritt is charged with one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least five years, and one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. On April 12, Merritt was arrested after a search of his vehicle revealed a Berretta 9mm pistol and two loaded gun magazines. Officials said Merritt’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions for assault, risk of injury and robbery.

At the time of Merritt’s arrest, he was also in the possession of $73,343 in cash and six cellphones, according to authorities. The indictment seeks the forfeiture of the cash and Merritt’s 2018 Nissan Maxima.

“On behalf of the New Haven Police Department, I want to thank the FBI and all of our law enforcement partners for their work in this investigation and for the ongoing collaboration to reduce gun violence and improve the quality of life for the citizens of New Haven,” Reyes said.