News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2006

Hartford Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearms And Narcotics Charges

June W. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England and Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JASON SUTHERLAND, age 36, formerly of 132 Cornwall Street, Hartford, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to possession with the intent to distribute powder cocaine, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a previously convicted felon.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, on January 25, 2006, SUTHERLAND was arrested by Special Agents and Task Force Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration. In pleading guilty, SUTHERLAND admitted that, on that date, he possessed a quantity of cocaine with the intent to distribute it, and knowingly possessed a loaded .44 caliber handgun after having been convicted in 1998 in Connecticut of felony first degree assault.

As part of his guilty plea, SUTHERLAND has agreed to forfeit, either as proceeds of the drug offense or as items used to facilitate the drug offense, more than $86,000 in cash seized from his residence, and a 2000 Subaru Outback.

Judge Thompson has scheduled sentencing for September 7, 2006, at which time SUTHERLAND faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $1 million on the drug conviction, and a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000 on the firearm conviction.

SUTHERLAND has been detained since the date of his federal arrest.

This case was investigated by the Hartford resident office of the Drug Enforcement Administration.