BRIDGEPORT, CT – Two members of Bridgeport’s Original North End (O.N.E.) gang have admitted to their roles in a reign of terror that plagued the city, according to federal prosecutors. MICHAEL LOCKHART, also known as “Mikey RTN,” 24, and JAHAZ LANGSTON, also known as “Haz,” 23, both pleaded guilty yesterday in Bridgeport federal court to charges stemming from a multi-agency investigation into the gang’s violent activities.
The O.N.E. gang, based in the Trumbull Gardens area, allegedly engaged in a brutal turf war against rival gangs like the East End, East Side, and PT Barnum gangs. The gang’s criminal enterprise wasn’t limited to violence; court documents reveal they were heavily involved in robbing drug dealers and customers, trafficking narcotics, and stealing vehicles – often utilizing the stolen cars to further their criminal schemes. Investigators found the gang brazenly used social media to coordinate operations and flaunt their illegal activities.
LOCKHART’s arrest on June 29, 2021, uncovered a disturbing arsenal at his residence. A search yielded large bags of marijuana, sophisticated narcotics packaging materials, five handguns, empty boxes for additional firearms, extended magazines, a cache of ammunition, and even body armor. Forensic analysis confirmed LOCKHART’s DNA was present on one of the seized handguns and a magazine. He has remained in custody since his arrest. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, a charge carrying a potential 20-year sentence, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
LANGSTON, already detained since his July 20, 2021, arrest, entered a guilty plea to a single count of racketeering conspiracy. This carries a maximum sentence of 20 years behind bars. The charges against both men are the result of a collaborative effort involving the FBI’s Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces, the ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Connecticut State Police, and Bridgeport Police Department. The Bridgeport State’s Attorney’s Office also played a key role in the investigation, along with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory and the Naugatuck Police Department.
U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery highlighted that this case falls under the umbrella of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity, and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs. PSN, a core component of the DOJ’s violent crime reduction strategy, focuses on targeting the most dangerous offenders and fostering collaboration between various stakeholders. These programs aim to address the root causes of violence and disrupt criminal networks.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck, Tara E. Levens, Patrick J. Doherty, Rahul Kale, and Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis are prosecuting the case. While the plea deals avoid a lengthy trial, the sentences handed down will likely send a message to other gangs operating in Bridgeport – and across the state – that federal authorities are actively cracking down on violent crime and illegal gun trafficking. The streets of Bridgeport are a little less dangerous tonight, but the fight is far from over.”
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Organized Crime|Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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