New London man sentenced to 7 years for selling heroin
Bridgeport — A long-term investigation by the Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force East and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration led to the sentencing of a New London man in federal court Wednesday.
Jerome Hunter, 32, was sentenced to seven years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release for distributing heroin in southeastern Connecticut.
The joint investigation found that Hunter was one of several dealers in New London County and Westerly obtaining cocaine and heroin from a distributor in New York. Hunter has been detained since his arrest on Sept. 2, 2015, when he was in possession of more than 100 grams of heroin, processing and packaging equipment, a handgun and $2,200.
In November 2015, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned a 35-count indictment charging Hunter and 12 others with various narcotics trafficking and firearm offenses. Twenty individuals were also prosecuted on related state charges.
Hunter pleaded guilty in October 2016 to one count of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.
During the course of the investigation, roughly 1.3 kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of crack cocaine, 416 grams of heroin, five firearms and $53,500 in cash were seized.
Police departments in Groton City, Groton Town, New London, Norwich and Waterford assisted in the investigation.
Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.