News Release
June 14, 2010
Contact: Special Agent Tony Pettigrew
Number: 617-557-2138

Ring Leader, Associates of Danbury-Area Crack Distribution Organization Are Sentenced

JUN 14 -- Steven W. Derr, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England and David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the leader of a Danbury-area crack cocaine ring and two of his associates were sentenced last week in New Haven to federal prison terms.

On Thursday, June 10, Senior U.S. District Judge Peter C. Dorsey sentenced AARON THOMPSON, also known as “A” and “A-Plus,” 37, formerly of Ives Court, Bridgeport, to 168 months of imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release. On Tuesday, November 10, THOMPSON pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

According to court documents and statements made in court, THOMPSON headed a crack cocaine distribution ring in and around Danbury that served dozens of customers. The DEA Task Force investigation, which included controlled purchases of narcotics and court-authorized wiretaps over several telephones, revealed that THOMPSON regularly obtained large quantities of cocaine, which he and others converted, or “cooked,” into crack. THOMPSON then employed other individuals to distribute the crack to customers.

In addition to his prison term, THOMPSON has forfeited to the government property he owned at 33 Ives Court in Bridgeport, a 2006 Ford Explorer and more than $46,000.

On June 8, JOSEPH FONSECA, 47, of Town Hill Avenue, Danbury, was sentenced by Judge Dorsey to 87 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release. FONSECA served as a lieutenant to THOMPSON and helped him distribute the crack. On November 30, 2009, FONSECA pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base.

On June 7, WAYNE EATON, 52, of Salem, Maine, was sentenced by Judge Dorsey to 21 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. On November 24, 2009, EATON pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base. EATON also assisted THOMPSON in distributing the crack.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force – which includes representatives from the Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk, Stratford and Bridgeport Police Departments – in cooperation with the Danbury Police Special Investigations Division. The New Milford Police Department also assisted in the investigation.