Grimy Times has learned that Jeffrey Benton, a 32-year-old gang leader from New Haven, Connecticut, has pleaded guilty to federal racketeering, drug trafficking, and money laundering offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Benton, also known as ‘Tall Man’ and ‘Fresh,’ admitted to participating in four gang-related murders and one attempted murder in New Haven in 2011 and 2012.
The investigation, known as ‘Operation Red Side,’ was launched by the ATF and the New Haven Police Department in January 2014. It revealed that members and associates of the Red Side Guerilla Brims (‘RSGB’), a sect of the Bloods street gang, were engaged in narcotics trafficking and related acts of violence, including murder, attempted murder, assaults, and armed robberies.
Benton, a leader of RSGB, admitted to his involvement in several acts of gang-related violence in New Haven, including the non-fatal shooting of an individual on February 23, 2011; the murder of Kevin Lee on April 20, 2011; the murder of Donell Allick on June 24, 2011; the murder of Darrick Cooper on September 19, 2011, and the murder of Donald Bolden on March 19, 2012.
Benton also admitted to participating in the gang-related trafficking of crack cocaine in Connecticut and Maine, and transferring drug proceeds from Maine to Connecticut using Western Union.
U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly stated, ‘Jeffrey Benton was the leader of the Red Side Guerilla Brims, a savage and ruthless narcotics gang that terrorized New Haven in 2011 and 2012.’ Daly added that Benton and his RSGB gang members not only trafficked in crack cocaine and firearms but were responsible for multiple homicides.
Benton pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in a pattern of racketeering activity, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. He also pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base (‘crack cocaine’), which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Benton faces a sentence of between 360 months and 480 months of imprisonment, with the government arguing for a sentence of 40 years in prison. Benton has been in federal custody since May 17, 2012, and is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall on June 27, 2017.
Related Federal Cases
- Jeffrey Benton, Racketeering, Money Laundering, Murder, CT 2024 · Washington
- Keith Young, Racketeering, Money Laundering, Connecticut 2011 · Maine
- Southwestern Connecticut Narcotics Ring Busted: Eleven Busted for Drug Trafficking and Firearm Offenses · Pennsylvania
- Connecticut Woman Sentenced for Federal Drug Conspiracy · New York
- Roy Isaiah Jackson, Racketeering and Firearm Offenses, CT 2024 · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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