Azibo Aquart, also known as “Azibo Smith,” “Azibo Siwatu Jahi Smith,” “D,” “Dreddy,” and “Jumbo,” was sentenced to death on May 23, 2011, for his role in the brutal bludgeoning murders of three defenseless victims in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
The victims, identified as Tina Johnson, her boyfriend James Reid, and friend Basil Williams, were found dead on August 24, 2005, in Apartment 101 at 215 Charles Street in Bridgeport. Aquart, 31, at the time of the crime, was the founder and leader of a drug trafficking group that primarily sold crack cocaine out of the apartment building.
According to the evidence presented during the trial, Aquart and his associates participated in acts of violence, including threats and assaults, to maintain their control over the group’s drug distribution activities. In the summer of 2005, Aquart and his associates became involved in a drug trafficking dispute with Johnson, a resident of 215 Charles Street who sometimes sold smaller quantities of crack cocaine without Aquart’s approval.
Aquart was found guilty of conspiring to commit murder in aid of racketeering and committing the racketeering murders of Johnson, Reid, and Williams. The jury also found Aquart guilty of committing three counts of drug-related murder and one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine.
On June 15, 2011, the jury unanimously determined that Aquart should be sentenced to death for committing both the racketeering and drug-related murders. U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton imposed the sentence.
Aquart’s case is a reminder of the importance of holding individuals accountable for their crimes, particularly those that involve violence and the exploitation of others for financial gain. The sentencing of Aquart to death is a significant outcome in this case, and it serves as a reminder of the consequences of committing such heinous crimes.
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Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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