New Haven, Aug 18 (IBNS) The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced that 31-year-old Anthony Carusom also known as “Tone” of Enfield was sentenced on Friday by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for distributing narcotics.
This matter stems from Operation Northern Strike, a 15-month joint law enforcement investigation targeting members and associates of geographically based street gangs engaging in criminal activity in Hartford’s Upper Albany and Northeast neighborhoods.
The investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on multiple telephones, controlled purchases of narcotics, and physical surveillance.
As a result of the investigation, 35 individuals were charged with various federal drug and firearms violations.
According to court documents and statements made in court, one of the initial targets of the investigation was Joseph Smith, also known as “Nitty.”
Intercepted calls revealed that Smith regularly sold Caruso eighth-ounce quantities (“8-balls”) of crack cocaine and, on occasion, quantities of heroin. Caruso distributed some of the drugs he purchased to others.
On May 23, Caruso pleaded guilty to one count of using a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking felony.
On June 29, 2011, Smith pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base.
He awaits sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force, which includes representatives of the FBI, Connecticut State Police ,and Hartford Police Department; and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Geoffrey M. Stone.
