United States Drug Enforcement Administration

FEB 01 - (NEW HAVEN, Conn.) - John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement (DEA) for New England and David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Joseph Jackson, also known as “Mighty” and “M.I.,” 37, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before United States Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis in New Haven to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 280 grams or more of cocaine (“crack cocaine”).

This matter stems from a joint law enforcement investigation conducted in 2010 by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, the DEA New Haven Task Force, the New Haven Police Department and the Hamden Police Department. Through the use of court-authorized wiretaps, investigating officers identified and dismantled a large drug trafficking organization that was headed by Jackson and centered in the Newhallville section of New Haven and Hamden.  At the time, Jackson was one of the principal suppliers of crack cocaine in and around New Haven. The investigation revealed that Jackson purchased multiple kilograms of cocaine from various sources of supply, and then converted a large majority of the cocaine into crack cocaine. Jackson then provided distribution quantities of crack to others who sold it on his behalf and gave the proceeds to Jackson. At times, Jackson sold crack and powder cocaine to his own customers.

Jackson was arrested on October 28, 2010. On that date, federal agents executed search warrants at various locations, including Jackson’s residence on Winchester Avenue in New Haven and a West Haven apartment that Jackson used to process, store and package narcotics. A search of the Winchester Avenue residence revealed a Taurus .40 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number, crack cocaine and cash. A search of the West Haven apartment revealed one kilogram of cocaine, 150 grams of crack packaged for distribution, multiple cell phones, drug packaging materials and cash.

Jackson is scheduled to be sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns on May 2, 2013, at which time Jackson faces a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. If the binding plea agreement filed today is accepted by the Court, Jackson will be sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment.

Jackson also has agreed to forfeit two automobiles and two motorcycles seized during the investigation.

Forty-seven individuals have been charged in federal court with various narcotics offenses as a result of this investigation.

This matter was investigated by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task (composed of members of the New Haven, Milford and Hamden Police Departments and the Connecticut Department of Correction), the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task (composed of members of the New Haven, West Haven, Meriden, Ansonia, Hamden and Branford Police Departments), along with substantial participation by members of the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments.  The United States Marshals Service also assisted the investigation.

The investigation was funded in significant part by the United States Attorney’s Office Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and supported by the Office’s Project Safe Neighborhoods and Anti-Gang programs.