United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW HAVEN , CT. - Steven W. Derr, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement (DEA) New England Field Division and David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that 11 individuals have been charged with various federal narcotics trafficking offenses related to distribution of heroin in the New Haven area.

“I want to recognize the dedication, commitment and excellence of the DEA Task Force and all of the federal, state and local law enforcement officers who participated in the lengthy investigation of this matter,” said U.S. Attorney Fein. “We are committed to attacking the drug trade in Connecticut and this investigation has disrupted what we allege to be a significant New Haven drug trafficking organization.”

This matter stems from a DEA Task Force investigation dubbed Operation Brick House, which targeted a heroin distribution organization based in New Haven that was allegedly headed by Tarulus Glass, aka “Dred,” 36, of Davis Street in Hamden.

“Heroin destroys neighborhoods and families,” said Special Agent in Charge Derr. “DEA and our law enforcement partners aggressively target these groups, dismantling them in the process. Operation Brick House is an example of what cooperative law enforcement can achieve. I would like to recognize the hard work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our state and local partners.”

Glass and the following 10 individuals are each charged in a superseding indictment with one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin:

Evelio Hernandez, aka “E,” 28, of the Bronx New York;

Keith Sykes, aka “Joker,” 52, currently incarcerated in state custody;

Anthony Ivory, aka “Pudge,” 25, Mitchell Drive, New Haven;

Marvin Edwards, aka “Marv,” 58, of Saltonstall Avenue, New Haven;

Melvin Burgess, aka “Mel,” 48, of Quinnipiac Avenue, New Haven;

Tony Richardson, 52, currently incarcerated in state custody;

Edward Milo Carmon, aka “Milo,” 46, of Dixwell Avenue, New Haven;

Edward James Gaetano, aka “EJ,” 32, of Hine Place, New Haven;

Jerome Harper, aka “Hop,” 52, of Star Street, New Haven; and

Sonya Sherrod, 48, of Dixwell Avenue, New Haven

The superseding indictment also charges Glass with three counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin.

According to statements made in court, the investigation employed several different law enforcement techniques, including the use of confidential informants, controlled purchases of heroin, physical surveillance, and the use of court-authorized wiretaps on cellular telephones utilized by some of the alleged co-conspirators.

Glass and Hernandez were arrested on federal criminal complaints on October 26, 2011. They were indicted on November 4, 2010. On January 20, 2011, the grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging an additional nine defendants, seven of whom were arrested on January 25, 2011. Two defendants are in state custody.

During the course of the investigation, DEA Task Force officers seized heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, four firearms and three vehicles.

U.S. Attorney Fein 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.

This matter was investigated by the DEA New Haven Task Force, which includes participants from the New Haven, Meriden, Hamden, West Haven, Branford and Ansonia Police Departments, and the United States Marshals Service.