United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: NORWICH MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING CHARGES

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that KAREEM SWINTON, 27, last residing on Broad Street in Norwich, pleaded guilty yesterday, April 6, before United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”) and 500 grams or more of cocaine.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, in December 2007, an individual working with law enforcement purchased one ounce of crack cocaine from SWINTON.  Also, in March 2008, law enforcement videotaped SWINTON soliciting another individual to sell eighth-ounce quantities of crack cocaine.

On June 12, 2008, SWINTON was arrested by the Texas Highway Patrol after SWINTON was found in possession of approximately two kilograms of cocaine and more than two pounds of marijuana that he was transporting from Arizona to Connecticut for distribution.

Judge Underhill has scheduled sentencing for June 25, 2009, at which time SWINTON faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years, a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years and a fine of up to $2 million.

SWINTON has been detained since his arrest.

This prosecution is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative and a long-term, coordinated investigation dubbed “Operation Jersey Barrier,” which has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Norwich Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police’s Statewide Narcotics Task Force.  The Texas Department of Public Safety assisted the investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

CONTACT:

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