Kiveon Hyman, Conspiracy to Engage in a Pattern of Racketeering Activity, Connecticut 2024

NEW HAVEN, CT – Kiveon Hyman, 26, known on the streets as “Tiny,” is headed to federal prison for 78 months after being sentenced today for his role in the ruthless Exit 8 street gang. U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden handed down the sentence in New Haven, followed by three years of supervised release. Hyman pleaded guilty last October to conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, effectively admitting to being a key player in a network responsible for bloodshed and mayhem in the city.

The case, a multi-agency effort led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the New Haven Police Department, has been peeling back layers of a long-running gang war. Investigators uncovered a chilling pattern of activity linking Exit 8 and its rivals to at least three murders and sixteen attempted murders since June 2018. The gang, named after the Interstate 91 exit in New Haven, has recently seen younger members adopting the moniker “Honcho,” a tribute to a fallen member killed in 2020.

Court documents paint a grim picture of Exit 8’s operations. Beyond the violence, the gang engaged in drug trafficking and brazenly used firearms to enforce its control. Stolen vehicles, often sourced from outside Connecticut, were used as tools in their violent acts. The gang wasn’t shy about documenting their crimes either – investigators found evidence of promotion, coordination, and even celebration of drug deals and violence on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube. This isn’t just street corner dealing; it’s a digitally-fueled criminal enterprise.

Hyman’s direct involvement stemmed from a June 16, 2018 shooting. He and other Exit 8 members opened fire on rivals near Fountain Street, Davis Street, and Lakeview Terrace. While the intended target survived, an associate took seven gunshot wounds. Police recovered fifteen spent casings at the scene, solidifying the evidence against Hyman and his crew. He has been held in custody since his arrest on March 24, 2023, and now faces a substantial portion of his life behind bars.

The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens, Rahul Kale, and Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis. This case isn’t an isolated incident, but part of a larger push by the Department of Justice through programs like Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity, and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). These initiatives aim to dismantle violent criminal organizations and reclaim neighborhoods from the grip of fear. New Haven State’s Attorney John P. Doyle Jr. also played a key role in the investigation.

While Hyman’s sentencing is a victory for law enforcement, the investigation remains ongoing. The ATF, FBI, DEA, and New Haven Police Department, alongside the Connecticut State Police and Forensic Science Laboratory, are continuing to untangle the web of violence and criminal activity that has plagued New Haven. The message is clear: those who choose to participate in gang violence will face the full weight of the federal justice system.

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