Jaequan Sheppard, Crack Cocaine Distribution, Connecticut 2012

A Hartford man has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for distributing crack cocaine, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.

Jaequan Sheppard, 20, also known as ‘Quanny’ and ‘Q,’ was sentenced to 108 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven.

The case stems from ‘Operation Vinefield,’ a joint law enforcement investigation headed by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force targeting narcotics trafficking and gang violence in Hartford’s North End.

As a result of the nine-month investigation, 38 individuals were charged with various offenses related to the distribution of crack cocaine and the unlawful possession and dealing of firearms in and around Hartford.

Sheppard was identified as a member of the AVE street gang who operated a drug trafficking organization from his residence at 117-119 Enfield Street.

Investigators made several controlled purchases of narcotics from Sheppard and subsequently obtained court authorization to intercept calls on two of his wireless phones.

In addition, investigators negotiated the purchase of a .38 caliber revolver from Sheppard in December 2011.

On January 10, 2012, four men were shot in front of Sheppard’s 117-119 Enfield Street residence.

SHEPPARD pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 28 grams or more of cocaine base (‘crack cocaine’) on January 4, 2013.

This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, the Connecticut State Police, the Hartford Police Department, and the Connecticut Department of Correction.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

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