Drug Trafficking Mistrial Leads to Guilty Plea in Connecticut Court

Criminal Charges:

Man charged in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, Bridgeport, CT, for:

• Conspiracy to Distribute and to Possess with Intent to Distribute One Kilogram or More of Heroin and Five Kilograms or More of Cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841 (a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)

Case Overview:

A man was originally with one count of Conspiracy to Distribute and to Possess with Intent to Distribute One (1) Kilogram or More of Heroin and Five (5) Kilograms or More of Cocaine following a long term, wiretap investigation of a drug trafficking organization operating in Connecticut. The investigation was conducted by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, to include the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Authorities arrested nearly a dozen people believed to be associated with the DTA, to include its drug supplier who was recorded on wiretapped phone calls discussing drugs and found to be in possession of drugs at the time police executed search and arrest warrants at the man’s home. The man fired his original lawyer, who encouraged him to plead guilty in exchange for a mandatory minimum punishment at 10 years, and potentially even greater punishment. He then hired the Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer, John L. Calcagni III, to assume his legal defense.

Case Result: Mistrial Followed by Guilty Plea to Lesser Included Offense with Sentence of 60 Months and a Fine.

With Attorney Calcagni’s assistance, the case proceeded to trial where, if convicted, the man faced a mandatory jail sentence of 15-20 years, due to the application of a potential sentencing enhancement stemming from a prior manslaughter conviction. At trial, the government called a total of 13 witnesses: 11 law enforcement and 2 cooperators. Following Attorney Calcagni’s powerful cross-examinations and closing argument, the jury was deadlocked during deliberations, resulting in a mistrial. After the mistrial, the government sought to bring the man to trial again. Before jury selection in the second trial, Attorney Calcagni negotiated a plea agreement that called for the man’s guilty plea to the lesser included conspiracy offense involving 100 grams or more of heroin and a resulting mandatory minimum sentence of 60 months or 5 years in jail. The man accepted responsibility to this less serious offense in accordance with the plea agreement, and Attorney Calcagni persuaded the Court to impose a sentence of 60 months plus a $5000 fine.