United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

LEADER OF NEW HAVEN CRACK RING RECEIVES FEDERAL PRISON TERM OF MORE THAN 12 YEARS

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson sentenced RICHARD MACK, age 30, formerly of 31 Market Street, New Haven, Connecticut, to 151 months imprisonment, followed by ten years of supervised release, for his involvement in drug trafficking in the Fair Haven section of New Haven. On November 22, 2002, MACK pleaded guilty to both conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of "crack" cocaine and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of "crack" cocaine. Judge Thompson sentenced MACK to 151 months imprisonment on both counts, to be served concurrently.

MACK has been incarcerated since his arrest on September 16, 2002.

In an indictment returned in September 2002, a grand jury sitting in Hartford charged MACK and 18 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 MACK. During 2001 and 2002, MACK arranged with the New York suppliers about every ten days for delivery of more than one kilogram of "crack" for about $30,000.

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, seven have been sentenced and the rest are awaiting sentencing. In addition to those charged with MACK, ten others were charged in two other indictments. All of these individuals have entered pleas of guilty.

"Mr. Mack was responsible for flooding the streets of New Haven with crack," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated. "Now he will have more than a decade behind bars to consider the consequences of his actions. The federal government remains steadfast in its commitment to taking down narcotics trafficking rings wherever they exist in order to ensure the safety of New Haven and all of Connecticut's communities."

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