Kevin Everett Gets 3 Years for Crack Distribution

Kevin Everett, 29, of New London, is headed to federal prison for three years after being sentenced in Bridgeport today for distributing crack cocaine across southeastern Connecticut. U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden handed down the 36-month sentence, followed by one year of supervised release, capping a sprawling narcotics investigation that dismantled a regional drug network.

The case, led by the Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force East and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, targeted a crew importing kilogram quantities of cocaine and heroin from New York. Sydney Jackson, also known as “Fatz,” was the alleged ringleader who converted bulk cocaine into crack in Connecticut. Everett served as one of Jackson’s street-level distributors, pushing the drug in Groton, Norwich, New London, Stonington, and even across state lines into Westerly, R.I.

A federal grand jury in Hartford returned a 35-count superseding indictment on November 24, 2015, charging Everett, Jackson, and 11 others with narcotics trafficking and firearm offenses. Approximately 20 more individuals were hit with related state charges as law enforcement swept through the operation. Everett has been in custody since his arrest on June 17, 2015.

Investigators used controlled buys, wiretaps, and surveillance to build the case, culminating in the execution of 11 state search warrants. They seized 1.3 kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of crack cocaine, 416 grams of heroin, five firearms, and $53,500 in cash—physical proof of the operation’s scale and danger.

On July 25, 2016, Everett pleaded guilty to one count of using a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking felony—a charge that reflects the calculated, networked nature of the distribution ring. Meanwhile, Jackson pleaded guilty on October 27, 2016, to conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine. He now faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years, up to life in prison, at his upcoming sentencing.

The investigation was a joint force of federal and local agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, Connecticut Department of Correction, and police departments from Groton City, Groton Town, New London, Norwich, and Waterford. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dave Vatti and Joseph Vizcarrondo prosecuted the case, with support from Senior Assistant State’s Attorneys Paul Narducci and David Smith of the New London Judicial District.