Hamden Man Sentenced on Federal Drug Charges

A federal jury in Hartford has found Michael Smith, also known as “Smitty” and “Fingers,” 43, of Hamden, guilty of narcotics distribution offenses. 

The trial before U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny began on Jan. 6 and the jury returned its verdict Monday.

In a related case, Cory Maddox, also known as “C.L.,” 36, of New Haven, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 55 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.

Smith, Maddox and more than 100 others were charged as a result of “Operation Bloodline,” a joint law enforcement investigation targeting narcotics trafficking and gang violence in the Dwight-Kensington and Fair Haven sections of New Haven. 

Led by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments, the year-long investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on numerous telephones, extensive physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, execution of search warrants, and seizures of narcotics and firearms.        

According to the evidence presented during Smith's trial, investigators received court-authorization to monitor three of his telephones.  The investigation revealed that Smith conspired to receive and distribute large quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine. 

In addition, on Oct. 27, 2011, Smith sold approximately 6.6 grams of crack cocaine to an individual working with law enforcement. Smith has been detained since his arrest on May 22, 2012, when law enforcement searched an apartment connected to Smith and recovered items used to convert cocaine into crack cocaine, as well as approximately $2,000 in cash.

The jury found Smith guilty of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, cocaine and cocaine base (“crack cocaine”), and one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine base.  Judge Chatigny has scheduled sentencing for April 7, 2014, at which time faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Smith has a prior state firearms conviction, and seven prior felony drug convictions.

As to Maddox, the same investigation revealed that he conspired with co-defendant Emory James, also known as “Emmo,” to distribute cocaine and heroin, primarily in the Dwight-Kensington neighborhood of New Haven. 

Maddox’s criminal history includes felony assault, firearms and drug convictions. He has been detained since his arrest on May 17, 2012.

On September 19, 2013, Maddox and James each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin and cocaine.  James awaits sentencing.