United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

SOUTH CAROLINA MAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR TRAFFICKING CRACK COCAINE

Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CLYDE BAXTER, also known as “Chopper,” 58, of Orangeburg, South Carolina, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release for possessing with intent to distribute more than five grams of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).  On December 18, 2007, a federal jury in Bridgeport found BAXTER guilty of this offense after a one-day trial.

The evidence at trial established that, on July 6, 2006, BAXTER sold 28 grams of crack cocaine to an undercover officer in the parking lot of a restaurant located on North Avenue in Bridgeport.  The evidence included audio and video recordings of BAXTER entering, exiting, and making incriminating statements while seated in the undercover officer’s vehicle.  The trial evidence further revealed that BAXTER had “cooked” 56 grams of crack cocaine from powder cocaine earlier that day in Norwalk.  In addition, according to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, BAXTER has been substantially involved in narcotics trafficking during his adult life and has multiple convictions for drug distribution.

This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, with assistance from the Norwalk Police Department, into the distribution of controlled substances throughout Fairfield County.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Harold H. Chen and William M. Brown.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov