United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

HARTFORD CRACK DEALER SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON

Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSEPH MARCELL RAY, age 30, of Bellevue Street, Hartford, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, On September 11, 2006, RAY pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, more than 50 grams of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, RAY was arrested pursuant to a federal arrest warrant and criminal complaint on May 22, 2006, following an investigation conducted by the Hartford Safe Streets Task Force. During the investigation, RAY negotiated with a cooperating witness for the sale of two and one quarter ounces of crack cocaine, and for a quantity of phencyclidine (“PCP”).

RAY has been in federal custody since the date of his arrest.

U. S. Attorney O’Connor praised the collaborative investigation of this matter by the Safe Streets Task Force, which is composed of Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation working together with Hartford Police Officers.

This case is being prosecuted by James I. Glasser, Counsel to the U.S. Attorney, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Kang.

CONTACT:

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