United States Drug Enforcement Administration

MAR 09 - BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Michael J. Ferguson Special Agent-in-Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Kenneth Brickhouse, also known as “K.E.,” 36, last residing in West Haven, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for drug and firearm offenses.

This matter stems from an investigation headed by the DEA’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, Stamford Police Department, Norwalk Police Department and Connecticut State Police. The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical surveillance. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, Brickhouse obtained cocaine and heroin from Bobby Gutierrez, also known as “B.O.,” of Stamford, and other individuals, and then sold the drugs to customers and other distributors. Between February and May 2016, Brickhouse made multiple sales of heroin and cocaine to an individual working with law enforcement. During this time, investigators also intercepted hundreds of calls and text messages involving Brickhouse that pertained to the distribution of narcotics.

Brickhouse was arrested on May 26, 2016.  On that date, a search of a Norwalk apartment that Brickhouse used to store drugs, convert cocaine into crack cocaine and conduct drug sales, revealed approximately 500 bags of heroin, two baggies of cocaine, a loaded 9mm pistol, and ammunition.  Investigators also seized a .357 revolver and ammunition from a vehicle that Brickhouse used to in connection with his drug trafficking activities.

Brickhouse has been detained since his arrest. On September 23, 2016, he pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Brickhouse’s criminal history includes state convictions for possessing crack with intent to sell, and federal convictions in 2001 for possession with intent to distribute cocaine (“crack”), using and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  Brickhouse served approximately 127 months in federal prison before his release in November 2011. Brickhouse, Gutierrez and seven others were charged as a result of the investigation.  All pleaded guilty. Gutierrez is detained while awaiting sentencing.

The DEA’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force includes members from the Bridgeport, Stamford, Stratford, Norwalk, Milford and Trumbull Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police.