United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

TWO MORE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN NEW HAVEN CRACK RING RECEIVE FEDERAL PRISON TERMS

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson, sentenced HERBERT McPHERSON, a.k.a. "Frank White," age 28, formerly of 187 Orange Street, New Haven, Connecticut, and JEFFREY HARRISON, a.k.a. "Biscuit," age 23, formerly of 83 Eliot Street, New Haven, Connecticut, for their involvement in drug trafficking in the Fair Haven section of New Haven.

McPHERSON pleaded guilty on October 28, 2002, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of "crack" cocaine. Judge Thompson sentenced McPHERSON to 98 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

Judge Thompson sentenced HARRISON, who pleaded guilty to the same crack cocaine conspiracy on December 2, 2002, to 53 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

In an indictment returned in September 2002, a grand jury sitting in Hartford charged McPHERSON, HARRISON and 17 other individuals with federal narcotics violations. According to information disclosed during court proceedings and documents filed with the court, the charges arose out of an investigation conducted by the New Haven Drug Task Force. It began as an investigation into the distribution of cocaine base, or "crack," in and around the Fair Haven Section of New Haven. As the investigation progressed, it was disclosed that a New York-based source organization was transporting multi-kilogram quantities of crack on a weekly basis to distribution networks operating in southwestern Connecticut. One of these networks was operated by Richard Mack of 31 Market Street, New Haven. McPHERSON, HARRISON and the 17 individuals indicted with him were charged in connection with that operation.

Several kilograms of crack and in excess of $350,000 were seized in Connecticut and New York in the course of the investigation. Eighteen of the individuals charged have entered pleas of guilty. In all, six have been sentenced and the rest are awaiting sentencing. In addition to those charged with McPHERSON and HARRISON, ten others were charged in two other indictments. All of these individuals have entered pleas of guilty.

"This Office is committed to taking down narcotics trafficking rings wherever they exist in order to ensure the safety of New Haven and all of Connecticut's communities," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated.

This case was investigated by the New Haven Drug Task Force, which is composed of elements of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the New Haven and West Haven Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney H. Gordon Hall is prosecuting the case.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov