United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England and Deirdre M. Daly, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Erick Evans, also known as "E.J." and "Hoov," 23, of New Haven, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

Evans is one of more than 100 individuals charged as a result of "Operation Bloodline," a joint law enforcement investigation targeting narcotics trafficking and gang violence in the Dwight-Kensington and Fair Haven sections of New Haven.  Led by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments, the year-long investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on numerous telephones, extensive physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, execution of search warrants, and seizures of narcotics and firearms.

Evans was arrested on May 17, 2012, after he was found in possession of crack cocaine that he intended to distribute.  On September 4, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine ("crack cocaine").  This is his first felony conviction.

Evans was remanded to federal custody on November 14, 2013, after he violated the conditions of bond.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration's New Haven Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia and Meriden Police Departments.  The United States Marshals Service, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, Parole and Community Services and the Milford, Hartford, New Britain, North Branford and Stratford Police Departments have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.